April 2022
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Branchburg Township Board of Education Appoints Superintendent
The Branchburg Township Board of Education on March 17 named Dr. Karen Chase the new Superintendent of Schools beginning July 1. BoE President Terri Joyce said the search for a superintendent to replace Rebecca Gensel, who retired, started back in November. The board received 36 qualified applicants, reduced the list to nine after considering community feedback, and conducted initial interviews in January. Joyce said Springlike weather on March 16 brought folks outdoors to enjoy a walk a second round of interviews with on the River Lea Farm Trail at the John Sanford Preserve, 2084 South four candidates occurred in February. The vote to appoint Dr. Chase Branch Road. —Photo by Steve Harris was unanimous. She will receive a salary of $197,000 initially. Joyce announced, “Tonight, I’m delighted to introduce the Board’s selection for Superintendent of the Branchburg School District, Dr. Karen Chase. Dr. Chase comes to us from the School District of the Chathams in Morris County where she currently serves as Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. During her interviews, Dr. Chase shared her enthusiasm for education, organization and wellness. Her responses to our questions repeatedly emphasized her commitment to students as the focus of her work as an educator and administrator. We found Dr. Arrow of Light Award–Cub Scout Pack 185 Webelo Scouts Chase to be intelligent, thoughtful earned the highest award in cub scouting, The Arrow of Light award, on and compassionate during our ofFeb. 13. Pictured are Thor Solberg, Finley Ramsden, Sean Fogarty, William ten grueling interviews.” Bouziotis, Thomas Abramo, Matt Hannum, Teddy Tillisch, Debbie Schmidt, She has been in Chatham since (back row) den leaders Kim Fogarty, and Christy Bouziotis. Not pictured: 2012. She has 24 years of public Kushal Patel. –Submitted by Angie Aiello
education experience and began her career in Bridgewater-Raritan schools where she was a classroom teacher for 8 years. She then spent 6 years as a Supervisor in the Montville School District beffore moving on to Chatham. Dr. Chase holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education, a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on gifted education, and her doctorate in Education Leadership from Seton Hall University. Dr. Elizabeth Nastus, Interim Superintendent, commented, “The Branchburg Township School District is fortunate to have selected Dr. Chase as their new superintendent. Dr. Chase is an accomplished educator, who, with her background and experience, will look at the district
Dr. Karen Chase
through a fresh lens, which is always an exciting approach. She will serve the district well and continue Branchburg’s mission: to inspire our children to learn, think, grow and excel in life. We extend our congratulations to Dr. Chase and wish her well.”