Pethick: 'I don't want to be where I'm not wanted' P'burg superintendent says he harbors no hostility as he prepares to part ways with district. Sunday, December 23, 2007 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The Express-Times PHILLIPSBURG | Gordon Pethick might be preparing to leave the Phillipsburg School District for the first time since 1972, but don't expect him to give up on education. At the very least, the superintendent says, he'll continue teaching basic math to his new grandson while he determines his next career move. Chuckling, Pethick said he sometimes repeats multiplication tables as he holds Benjamin, who is 3 months old. "I think I'm going to take a couple days off, and then I'm going to see what's out there," Pethick said. At the end of the month, he may part ways with the roughly 3,500-student district he has led as top administrator since 1999. The board agreed Dec. 3 to buy out the remainder of Pethick's contract. The buyout is awaiting approval from New Jersey Education Commissioner Lucille Davy. The deal came six months before his contract expired. It followed months of tension between Pethick, 59, and a majority of the school board. It culminated with a divided vote not to renew his contract past June 30. Pethick said he harbors no hostility but said a superintendent needs the school board's support. "I don't want to be where I'm not wanted," Pethick said. Board President Paul Rummerfield said there is no animosity, and he wishes Pethick well. He said a few areas in which they clashed include the former labor attorney, a then-expired teachers' contract and the public firing of a principal. "I think the foundations for communication could have been set up a little bit better," Rummerfield said of the relationship between Pethick and the board. Not all board members wanted Pethick out, including Christopher Wittmann. "I think he did a lot of good things for the district," Wittmann said. "I appreciate all the efforts he's put forth." Pethick said he can't yet comprehend what life will be like without the responsibility of an entire district. "It's the weirdest feeling; I don't quite know how to describe it," Pethick said. He leaves behind a district still fighting for a promised but unfunded new high school and managing a cramped campus with students attending classes in 31 trailers. There is also some tension between officials in Phillipsburg and some of the districts that send their students to its high school. Pethick said he is optimistic all key players recognize a unified approach is the key to getting the school built. He said he is at peace that even if he has made mistakes, he has done his best for the district. He credits the teaching staff and well-rounded administrative team with strides they've made with test scores, a literacy initiative and aligning math programs. Pethick said he's been contacted about some opportunities but is focusing on finishing his work at Phillipsburg. He said he did not apply for the superintendent position now open in Easton. "I'm just happy that I spent my time in Phillipsburg," Pethick said. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.