Rumson-Fair Haven board approves contract for Dr. Marshall "Lee" McDonald as superintendent

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School Board of Education on Feb. 26 approved a contract to hire Dr. Marshall “Lee” McDonald, Ed.D., as superintendent, effective no later than April 15, 2025, through June 30, 2025. The decision followed public comment in support of the hire and a motion by Mr. Grant that was seconded by Mr. Page.

The contract sets a prorated salary of $222,000 for the 2024–25 school year and annual salaries of $225,000 (2025–26), $229,500 (2026–27), $234,090 (2027–28) and $238,771.80 (2028–29). The board’s action was recorded by roll call: Mrs. Kiley, Ms. Romano, Mr. Grant, Mrs. McGinty, Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Hickey, Mr. Page and Mrs. Whitehouse voted yes; Mr. Dougherty was absent. The board noted the contract has been reviewed and approved by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools.

Board President Mrs. McGinty praised Dr. McDonald’s work ethic and leadership during remarks before the vote. After the approval, Dr. McDonald thanked the board and his family and said he is "looking forward to building a long standing excellence at RFH." Interim Superintendent Dr. Peter Righi welcomed Dr. McDonald and expressed confidence in the district’s leadership.

The contract runs through June 30, 2025 for the current school year with multi-year terms thereafter; the board’s minutes record the motion, second and unanimous roll-call vote of members present. The business administrator/board secretary Sean S. Cranston signed the minutes; next steps will follow the district’s standard onboarding and administrative processes.