Board approves interim superintendent and assistant superintendent contracts after expedited review; some members ask for earlier access to documents

The Winslow Township Board of Education approved contracts for an interim superintendent and an assistant superintendent on Sept. 10 after an expedited review and county sign-off.

The board approved a contract for Mark Pease as interim superintendent for the 2025-26 school year and confirmed Michelle Clement in an assistant superintendent role with a contract term through June 30, 2026. Meeting discussion and public comment made clear the county executive superintendent had returned approvals on Monday, and the board moved quickly to vote so the administrators could begin work before the next payroll cycle.

Several board members said they did not receive copies of the contracts with adequate time to review before the meeting and asked that future administrative contracts be distributed earlier. One board member urged that "any contract, any high administrators' that the board must approve be granted to the board prior to the meeting" so members have time to review. District leadership said the compressed timeline resulted from the late county approvals; the business office and solicitor confirmed they had pushed for a rapid turnaround to ensure continuity for the opening weeks of school.

Board counsel and administrators described legal steps taken in the hiring process. Counsel referenced statutory provisions that govern termination and mutual separation terms, and noted the county review process for superintendent contracts. The county letter approving the interim superintendent contract specified the contract period as Sept. 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026; in discussion the administration said an effective start date of Sept. 16, 2025 had been anticipated for Mr. Pease's first day on duty.

The board also discussed procedures about contract timing and emergency meetings. Counsel confirmed that emergency or special meetings can be called with appropriate public notice in urgent circumstances but cautioned that repeated use of emergency sessions for routine approvals is not appropriate. Several board members called the episode a "teachable moment" and requested clearer timelines so members can review contracts in advance.

Why it matters: The interim superintendent and assistant superintendent are the district's top operational officials; their appointments affect district leadership through the end of the 2025-26 school year. Board members emphasized the importance of due process and timely distribution of contract documents so elected members can perform oversight.

What's next: The district said Mr. Pease is expected to begin work the week of Sept. 16; the board president said the public will have an opportunity to meet the interim superintendent at an upcoming board meeting. Several members asked the administration to provide future contracts to the board earlier and to allow time for review and questions before votes.