A recent board of education meeting brought a shift in personnel to the Moorestown Public Schools. After returning from executive session on Aug. 28, the board accepted the resignation of Superintendent Brian Betze and a settlement agreement putting him on a paid leave of absence for the next five months at his request.
Betze’s resignation will take effect on Dec. 31. Moorestown Board of Education President Don Mishler explained that total compensation for Betze’s leave of absence leading up to his resignation date would total approximately $165,000. Mishler added that that amount is subject to change after vacation days are factored into his compensation.
Shortly following Betze’s resignation, business administrator Lynn Shugars was appointed unanimously as acting superintendent, pending the approval by the Burlington County superintendent of schools. Shugars was approved with an 8–0 vote, with board member Kevin O’ Sullivan absent from the meeting.
Mishler said that, as of right now, the board hasn’t identified candidates for the position of interim superintendent.
“Informally, we’ve already started going through our contacts,” Mishler said.
Mishler admits that the board has given some thought to Betze’s successor, but maintains, “it’s still an open book.”
“We’ll see what interest we generate and go from there,” Mishler said.
Betze served as superintendent of Berlin Schools before joining the Moorestown School District in May 2012.
With more than 26 years in the education field, Betze has also held multiple teaching positions in high school and secondary school for multiple schools in South Jersey, as well as previous roles as supervisor of curriculum, supervisor of special education and principal.
Betze could not be reached for comment.
The board’s decision to accept Betze’s resignation came only one week before students return to the Moorestown School District, as classes are slated to begin on Monday, Sept. 9.
