New superintendent named at Monmouth Regional H.S.

New superintendent named at Monmouth Regional H.S.
BY KENNY WALTER Staff Writer

TINTON FALLS — Monmouth Regional High School will have a new superintendent on July 1.

The Monmouth Regional High School Board of Education approved the hiring of Charles Ford at the May 5 board meeting.

Ford currently serves as principal of Roosevelt Elementary School in South Plainfield and will take over for current Superintendent James Cleary, who announced his retirement in January.

"I sent in my retirement paperwork in January of 2009," Cleary said recently. "My last day is June 30."

Ford has served as Roosevelt principal for the past four years and previously served as an assistant principal at South Plainfield High School for a year, assistant principal in Irvington for three years, and as a third- and fifthgrade teacher.

Cleary has been with the district for 17 years, having served the last three and a half years as superintendent.

"I have fulfilled my three-and-a-halfyear contract," Cleary said. "I have been a part of this district for 17 years as a business administrator, assistant superintendent, and the last three and a half years as the superintendent."

According to Cleary, the school board interviewed a number of candidates.

"After I submitted my retirement, the school board advertised for my vacancy," Cleary said. "They screened résumés, interviewed candidates and brought back candidates for a second round of interviews.

"They brought back finalists for the job and … hired Mr. Ford."

According to Ford, he interviewed in front of the Board of Education twice for the position.

Ford said he researched the district before deciding to apply for the job.

"I did my research," Ford said. "I spoke with some parents who sent kids to the district. I looked into the diversity of the district and decided that I had interest in coming here."

Monmouth Regional currently educates 1,140 students in grades nine through 12 who reside in Tinton Falls, Eatontown and Shrewsbury Township.

Prior to his tenure at Monmouth Regional, Cleary was a principal in the Farmingdale Public School District for five years. His career includes experience as a basic skills coordinator, testing coordinator and classroom teacher. He has taught English, math, compensatory education and English as a Second Language.

Cleary holds both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Monmouth University, West Long Branch.

He said that Ford would inherit a positive situation at Monmouth Regional.

"I wish him the very best," Cleary said. "We have a great student body, an exceptional staff and administration, and a very wise Board of Ed.

"Monmouth Regional should be strong and steady as they move into the future."

Ford agreed that the district's future is bright.

"I think that the district is moving forward," Ford said. "I hope to move forward with the district and to bring 21st-century educational methods into the district.

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity to work with a good group of students and to make everyone view the district as a good place to send their children to," he added.

Contact Kenny Walter at

kwalter@gmnews.com.


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