GOVERNOR TO NOMINATE 10 EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENTS

Advances Goals of Long- Term Property Tax Reform

TRENTON - Governor Jon S. Corzine today announced his intention to nominate 10 Executive County Superintendents who will begin serving in an acting capacity pending confirmation by the State Senate later this fall. The Executive County Superintendent positions were created through one of the key property tax reform measures enacted during the Special Session on Property Tax Reform and are a significant component of the historic package of long-term reform and over $2 billion in immediate property tax relief instituted by the Governor and Legislature this year.

"This Administration is committed to enacting and promoting fiscal responsibility," said Governor Corzine. "Executive County Superintendents will have all the tools needed to help us achieve real property tax reform by encouraging schools districts to prioritize their spending decisions, maximize efficiency and control costs. In fact, we're already seeing positive results from another key reform measure - the caps on tax levies - and the work of the Executive County Superintendents will build on that success so we can reduce New Jersey's highest-in-the-nation property taxes."

The new tax levy caps and an increase in State aid have reduced the annual increase in the school tax levy to 4.4%, the lowest since the 97-98 school year. Over the last three years, the increases were 6.6%, 5.9%, and 6.0% respectively.

The Executive County Superintendents will examine administrative and operational efficiencies and cost savings within the school districts of the counties represented. They will monitor performance in the five key components of school district effectiveness under the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum: instruction and program; personnel; fiscal management; operations; and governance.

Each Executive County Superintendent will have the authority to disapprove portions of a school district's budget if a district has not implemented all potential administrative efficiencies or if a budget includes excessive non-instructional expenditures. In addition, the Executive County Superintendents will be responsible for developing plans to eliminate school districts that do not operate schools and for recommending and developing a school district consolidation plan to create or enlarge regional school districts in order to eliminate all but K through grade 12 districts, subject to voter approval. Furthermore, the Executive County Superintendents will work with school districts to control costs by developing in-district special education programs and services and shared special education services within each county.

Executive County Superintendent appointments are subject to advice and consent of the Senate. The individuals announced today have been appointed to serve in an acting capacity, and their nominations will be submitted to the Senate once it reconvenes. The search process to fill the remaining Executive County Superintendent positions is ongoing.

Governor Corzine intends to nominate the following for appointment as Executive County Superintendent:

CAPE MAY EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Terrence J. Crowley (Pilesgrove, Salem)

CUMBERLAND EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Adam C. Pfeffer, Ed.D. (Stone Harbor, Cape May)

GLOUCESTER EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment H. Mark Stanwood, Ed.D. (Pitman, Gloucester)

HUDSON EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Robert Osak (North Brunswick, Middlesex)

HUNTERDON EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Gerald J. Vernotica, Ed.D. (Long Valley, Morris)

MIDDLESEX EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Patrick Piegari, Ed.D. (Basking Ridge, Somerset)

MONMOUTH EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Carole Knopp Morris (Neptune, Monmouth)

OCEAN EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Bruce M. Greenfield, Ed.D. (Ventnor City, Atlantic)

SOMERSET EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Trudy Doyle (Bridgewater, Somerset)

UNION EXECUTIVE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT

Nominate for Appointment Carmen M. Centuolo, Ed.D. (Mountainside, Union)

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Photos and audio and video clips from Governor Corzine's public events are available in the Governor's Newsroom section on the State of New Jersey web page, http://www.nj.gov/governor/news/