Superintendents wanted Three Warren County school districts may be searching for new leadership. Phillipsburg appears to be the closest to filling spot. Tuesday, May 06, 2008 • By Andrea Eilenberger And Trish G. Graber • The Express-Times TRENTON | It appears as though three Phillipsburg-area school districts will be searching for new superintendents. While the Phillipsburg School District's search for a top administrator is under way, Lopatcong Township and Greenwich Township school board members likely will have to begin searches in their districts. On Monday night, Lopatcong Township School District Superintendent Mike Rossi was being considered for the same role in the Roxbury School District. Roxbury is a K-12 district that has seven school buildings, according to Ruthann Quinn, the district's business administrator. Lopatcong is a pre-K-8 district with two school buildings. Rossi was first hired by the Lopatcong district in 2005. His salary is $128,000, Lopatcong Business Administrator Teresa Barna said. Rossi has experience as a middle and high school teacher, a Centenary College professor, a supervisor of curriculum, a district supervisor and an elementary principal. Greenwich Township Superintendent of Schools Kevin Brennan on Monday moved closer to becoming Warren County's executive county superintendent. The state Senate Judiciary Committee cleared Brennan's nomination. It now must go before the full Senate, which could happen as early as May 22, according to Jim Manion, spokesman for the Senate Democrats. State officials have said if it moves forward without delay, Brennan, who is planning to retire from the school district, could take the Warren County position as early as Sept. 1. First, however, he would have to give the district notice of his retirement and take a 30-day required break between jobs. Since that has not happened and the process is continuing, the Greenwich Township School Board hasn't yet begun a search to replace Brennan, board President Denise Valle said. "It's imperative to me that we find the right candidate," Valle said. She praised Brennan's work in the district and said his successor will have big shoes to fill. The so-called super county superintendents take the place of the former county superintendents. However, these individuals have broad powers aimed at generating greater efficiencies and cost savings in local districts. Among their duties, they are charged with crafting a plan to consolidate school districts, making them all K-12 systems. The plan would be voted on by residents in each affected municipality. Executive county superintendents also have the ability to veto portions of a school budget if the district does not take the necessary steps to achieve administrative efficiencies or if a budget includes excessive noninstructional expenditures. Trish Graber is Trenton correspondent for The Express-Times. She can be reached at 609-292-5154. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.