JACKSON – Members of the Township Board of Education approved the retirement plans of Nicole Pormilli during the Board’s January 21 meeting.
After years of dedicated service to the Jackson School District, Pormilli announced she would be retiring, effective July 1.
This news prompted the Board of Education to immediately start a thorough, transparent, and inclusive search for the district’s next superintendent.
Board members expressed deep gratitude for her years of dedicated service to the students, staff, and families of the Jackson School District. During her tenure, the district maintained strong academic programs and co-curricular opportunities for students while navigating a global pandemic, significant financial challenges stemming from millions of dollars in state aid cuts over the last seven years, and a rapidly changing educational landscape.
Pormilli who served as one of two of the district’s Assistant Superintendents, took the reins from Superintendent Stephen Genco who retired in 2020. The search for Genco’s successor featured dozens of applicants from across the state and the region continued through COVID-19 pandemic guidelines.
The Board strongly supported Pormilli’s appointment stating that they had determined her to be the best choice to replace Genco.
Pormilli has a broad depth of experience in her 35-year career in public education. she served six years as superintendent of the school district. She joined the district in 2015 as an assistant superintendent. She had 15 years of central administration experience prior to becoming an assistant superintendent. She was also a former literacy teacher.
She emphasized upon her hiring as superintendent, that her philosophy was delivering both the educational and social emotional needs of all learners with compassion and excellence.
Pormilli said at that time, “I have been fortunate enough to work with and learn from Dr. Genco and so many others and I am honored to have been appointed to this position. Jackson is a very special place, and it is truly a privilege to take on this responsibility.’’
Board of Education Vice President and Search Committee Co-Chair Brian McCarron noted that “Superintendent Pormilli has led with dedication and steadiness through some of the most challenging circumstances public education has faced.”
“We are sincerely grateful for her commitment to our schools and for keeping our students, staff, and community at the center of her work. We wish her nothing but the best as she begins this next chapter,” McCarron added.
Board members are now addressing the task of of conducting a comprehensive search for the district’s next Superintendent of Schools. The Board emphasized that the superintendent search is one of its most important responsibilities and it is committed to a process that is thorough, transparent, and inclusive.
Board member Dr. Erica Osmond who serves as co-chair of the Board of Education Search Committee said, “we recognize this is not a standard search, given our shifting demographics and the budget pressures facing our community.”
“The Board is fully committed to a search process that is transparent and inclusive, and we encourage our community to take part. This process works best when we hear directly from the people we serve,” she added.
The Board will engage in an extensive search process to attract highly qualified candidates who reflect the district’s values and priorities. A community wide survey will be released on January 26 inviting the school community to share their thoughts on the qualities and leadership characteristics they want to see in the next superintendent.
Survey results will be used to create a superintendent leadership profile, which will be presented and shared during the Board’s February 18 meeting. That profile will be used to guide the interview and selection process.
“Our community deserves a clear and open process,” Osmond added. “We will be sharing information along the way, listening closely to stakeholder input, and ensuring the public has opportunities to help shape the profile of our next superintendent.”
The Board’s goal is to conduct a thorough search and to approve the selection of a new Superintendent of Schools by late spring of this year for a July 1, start date. To keep the community informed, a dedicated superintendent search webpage will be launched as part of the district’s website this week. The webpage will include the search timeline, survey information, survey results, and the candidate profile once created.
McCarron added that “throughout the transition, the Board remains focused on maintaining stability, supporting students and staff, and selecting a leader who will guide the district forward with integrity and vision.”
He added, “choosing our next Superintendent is one of the most important decisions this Board will make, and we will take this important work seriously.’’
