Outgoing Interim Superintendent Reflects on Time in Oakland

Outgoing Oakland interim superintendent Jeffrey Feifer oversaw his last meeting with board of education Tuesday night, but will aid in a transition next month as the district brings on a new superintendent.

Feifer stepped into the role in January following the retirement of longtime schools chief Richard Heflich, whose 40-year tenure in the district included 16 in the top administrative post. Feifer’s tenure as interim superintendent ends at the end of June.

Gina Coffaro, who previously served 15 years as principal of Stephen J. Gerace Elementary School in Pequannock, will step into the position July 1.

On Tuesday night the board approved for Feifer to remain in the district through July as an administrative consultant, working two or three days a week at his current per diem salary of $600.

Feifer, who has a cumulative experience of over 25 years as a superintendent in various North Jersey school districts, said that as Coffaro has never held the post, his role will be in smoothing the transition for her as well as a new business administrator and director of special services.

“I’ll be able to help them settle into their new jobs, going over key issues in the district, some of the things that happened this year, and some of the things we’re planning for next year,” he said.

As an interim superintendent, Feifer was not expected to oversee any drastic changes in the district, but said that he is proud of the schools’ new literacy professional development initiative and inroads that the district has made in using technology in its instruction and business management.

Board president Russell Talamini said Monday night that though he is confident in the abilities of the incoming superintendent, Feifer’s experience and skills in the position will be missed.

“He truly knows how to do this job,” Talamini said.

Feifer, who has worked with multiple boards over the course of his long career, returned the board’s homage.

“They’re very devoted to the district and to providing the best to the students,” he said of the board. “To me they’re a model of how board of education should be working.”

After the transitional phase in Oakland, in August Feifer will take the reins for a year as interim superintendent in Old Tappan, where he says he will help the district in its search for a new superintendent, as he did in Oakland.

Though only in charge of the Oakland schools for six months, Feifer said that he has confidence in what the district has accomplished and where it is headed under the new superintendent.

“I think the district is very well positioned for the future,” he said, “and I’m proud to have played a small part in the progress of Oakland.”