Board President Betsy told the Glen Ridge Board of Education that the district has posted the superintendent job opening internally and externally and outlined a multi‑stage timeline for hiring a successor to the former superintendent.

Betsy said the board extended Acting Superintendent Winnie Kivett’s appointment through June 30, 2026, covering the upcoming school year. "We extended that appointment until 06/30/2026," she said.

The board posted the advertisement on the district website and in national, regional and education publications. The timeline the board announced includes a November 10 application deadline; personnel‑committee screening beginning November 10; first‑round interviews by the personnel committee; a final round of full‑board interviews in January 2026 (January 6–27); reference checks and contract clearance in late January–February; county executive superintendent review; and a proposed start date of July 1, 2026. Betsy cautioned that all dates may shift because finalists often have contract notice periods and because the Executive County Superintendent of Schools for Essex County must review and approve the proposed employment contract before board acceptance.

The board explained why it initially chose not to hire an external search firm. Betsy said the personnel committee interviewed search firms and weighed cost, services and the board’s own experience. She noted the district previously received a strong applicant pool without a firm and that the board is beginning the process a month earlier than in the last search. "If for any reason the yield of resumes is disappointing or too small, we reserve the right to hire a search firm," she said.

Board members and public commenters asked about focus groups and which constituencies would be included; Betsy said the board will review earlier focus‑group results and determine the composition of any new groups, and that finalists will be subject to criminal background checks in keeping with New Jersey law.

No motion or vote was recorded tonight on candidate selection; the board said it will provide further updates via the superintendent‑search page on glenridge.org and at future meetings.