C. Lauren Schoen, Superintendent of Schools for the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District has tendered a resignation effective May 15, 2013.
The superintendent, who has headed the administration of Ramapo and Indian Hills for four years, will be leaving to assume the position of Superintendent of Schools for the Mahwah Township School District.
In a letter distributed on Tuesday to parents and guardians, Schoen stated that it was “a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as your Superintendent”. The letter continued on and ended with expression of “sincere thanks and appreciation for your involvement and support during my years in Ramapo Indian Hills”.
Neighboring Mahwah has been without a permanent superintendent for almost two years. The acting superintendent, Dr. Karen Lake, is in the midst of her second year; the maximum number of years an interim superintendent can serve is two.
The lengthy search for a replacement in Mahwah was blamed by some on NJ’s salary cap for superintendents which has led to numerous retirements and potential candidates seeking jobs out of state.
The Mahwah school board has been struggling to find a permanent superintendent, and just last spring the board indicated that the search was going nowhere. There has been no hint that a decision was nearing, though recent news reports in February indicated that interviews were taking place.