School Superintendent Decides to Stay

(Revised, 5:45 pm, 04-10-2013, with names accompanying group photo – see end of article.)

Yesterday, in an interview with this writer, Dr. Michael Schilder, Superintendent of the Bridgewater-Raritan School District disclosed that he withdrew his name from consideration two weeks ago as a candidate for the same position within the Easton (PA) Area School District.

Group photo of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of
Education; with Superintendent; Brd. Adm/Sec.;
Assistant Superintendent and Student Representative.
(Credit/Dick Bergeron)

Quoting anonymous sources, Peter Panepinto of The Times-Express reported on March 26, 2013, that “The Easton Area School Board has narrowed its superintendent search down to two candidates,” naming Dr. Schilder as one of the two.

Asked why he had a change of heart about the superintendent’s position in Pennsylvania, Schilder tactfully declined to give his reasons, indicating that he “did not want to embarrass” either his current employer or the school district to which he had applied.

However, he did volunteer that one of the reasons for having originally sought the Easton position is that it is “an urban district,” one in which he had not previously held the leadership position, and one which would have “offered a  good challenge.”

Dr. Schilder who lives in Holland Township also said that the Easton job was only a “15-minute ride” from his home, while Bridgewater is a “50-minute commute” – nonetheless, according to his remarks yesterday, that was not a primary consideration for having originally sought the job.

Mike Schilder emphasized that he considers the Bridgewater-Raritan School District to be a great district in which to work.

Dr. Michael Schilder, Superintendent of
the Bridgewater-Raritan School District
(Credit/Dick Bergeron)

After he decided not to go forward with the opportunity in Pennsylvania two weeks ago, he then advised his potentially new employer of his decision via the search firm through which he was working and followed that up with a personal e-mail. 

Dr. Schilder indicated that he has not since received a response.

The Easton Area School District seems to be facing significant financial and staffing issues.  In an article to that effect datelined as of yesterday, April 9, The Express-Times reported that “Officials are proposing axing 23 staff members, raising taxes by 2.1 percent and cutting some programs to bridge a $4.2 million budget gap for the 2013-2014 school year.”

The article concludes with, “About 611 teachers make up 78 percent of the budgeted salaries for next year.  They make up 41 percent of the overall budget.  Teachers will receive a 7 percent salary increase next year.”

The Express-Times also reported that “Next year’s projected expenses [2013/2014] now total $134.8 million, a 1 percent increase compared to last year’s budget.” 

By comparison, the final budget for the Bridgewater-Raritan School District for the same period is $139.5 million, a 2.97 percent increase over last year.

Names of Those in the Group Photo Above:
Back Row, Left to Right:  (All are board members unless otherwise noted)

Jeffrey Brookner; Aaron Kurdyla; Dr. Michael Schilder, Superintendent; Patrick Breslin, Board President; Jill Gladstone, Board Vice-President; Dr. Arvind Mathur; Peter Starrs, Administrator/Board Secretary. 

Front Row, Left to Right: 

Cheryl Dyer, Assistant Superintendent; Lynne Hurley; Evan Lerner, Ann Marie Mead; Olivia Di Iorio, Student Representative.

Absent from this photo: Board Member Jackie Barlow who was not present that evening.

(Click on any image for an enhanced view.)