Watchung Hills Regional Board Names New Superintendent

Elizabeth Jewett will become superintendent of Watchung Hills Regional following the retirement of Frances Stromsland, as the school's board of education unanimously approved a resolution to hire her Monday.

Jewett is currently the Verona school district's director of Instructional Studies, overseeing the district's curriculum. She was acting superintendent for the 2,200-student K-12 school district for a six-month period in 2011 as that district transitioned to a new superintendent.

"I'm truly humbled and honored to be selected to be the next leader of the Watchung Hills Regional High School district," she said. She said Watchung Hills Regional was a "highly achieving district that is characterized by outstanding educators, a highly supportive board and community and a remarkably talented student body."

"I hope to build on the strong foundation of excellence that Dr. Stromsland built," Jewett said. Jewett came to the meeting wearing an ensemble of the school's colors, which she noted when it was pointed out, "There are no coincidences."  

Contract terms for her first three years with Watchung Hills Regional are still being negotiated.

Jewett has been with the Verona district since 2009. She holds a masters in Educational Leadership from Montclair State University.

Jewett said she started her career as a math teacher at West Morris Regional High School, and was happy to return to her "roots."

"High school is what I realized I was most passionate about," she said, adding Watchung Hills Regional has about the same number of students as the Verona K-12 district, so her new assignment is "kind of a dream job for me."