Input Surveys
The Jefferson Township Board of Education invites you to participate in providing valuable input for the superintendent search process that is in progress. Our search consultants, Dr. Paul Pineiro of the New Jersey School Boards Association, has developed a survey tool to accomplish gathering community, administrators, and staff input. Information gathered will be used to shape a variety of candidate review documents and the interview questions.
Search Updates
The Jefferson Township Board of Education is pleased to announce its plan to appoint Mr. Scot Burkholder as the next Superintendent of Jefferson Township Public Schools at its regularly scheduled meeting tonight, Monday, June 15, 2026.
Over the past several months, the Board conducted a thoughtful and comprehensive search process, guided by the New Jersey School Boards Association, to identify our district’s next leader. Throughout that process, our focus has been to select a superintendent who demonstrates a strong commitment to academic excellence and possesses the strategic vision and leadership necessary to guide our district into the future.
Following a rigorous review of a highly qualified candidate pool and multiple rounds of interviews, the Board is confident that Mr. Burkholder is the right leader for Jefferson Township Public Schools. His experience, leadership qualities, and dedication to student success align with our mission to cultivate positive, contributing members of both our local and global communities.
Mr. Burkholder joins the Falcon Family following 11 years with Wayne Township Public Schools, where he served as a principal and as the Director of Federal, State, and Special Programs. As a central office administrator since 2018, he worked closely with school-level teams – including principals, counselors, nurses, and intervention teachers – to provide direct instructional support. During his tenure in Wayne, he also managed critical district responsibilities as the Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Homeless Liaison, DCPP Liaison, District Testing Coordinator, Residency Coordinator, Grants Administrator, and Affirmative Action Officer. Prior to his leadership in Wayne, Mr. Burkholder spent 15 years with Plainfield Public Schools as a Teacher, Vice Principal, and Principal.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical, Health, and Adapted Education from West Virginia University and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton. Committed to continuous professional growth, Mr. Burkholder has completed extensive post-graduate coursework in school leadership, including the School Turnaround Leaders program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His impactful work has earned a citation from the New Jersey Legislature for educational commitment and recognition as a “Hero of the Pandemic” by then-Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.
Driven by a conviction that effective instruction and strong professional development lead to student success, Mr. Burkholder believes every child can thrive when given the right tools. As a resident of the Highlands, he knows firsthand that Jefferson is a hardworking, community-focused town committed to providing an excellent education for our students.
Mr. Burkholder brings valuable knowledge, perspective, and energy to Jefferson Township. He is well-positioned to build upon the foundational strengths of our schools while working collaboratively with students, staff, families, and community partners to continue advancing opportunities for all learners.
On behalf of the full Board, I would like to thank everyone who participated in the community input surveys or attended the in-person input sessions. The feedback and support provided by staff, parents, and community members proved invaluable throughout this search.
We look forward to this exciting new chapter for our district and to welcoming Mr. Burkholder into the Falcon Family.
Sincerely,
Christopher Brown
Board President, on behalf of the Jefferson Township Board of Education
The Superintendent Search - Community Input Session has been scheduled for:
Monday, March 16, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jefferson Township High School Media Center
This session is open to Jefferson Township parents, guardians, and community members and will provide an opportunity to share input regarding the qualities and leadership characteristics desired in the next Superintendent. Dr. Paul Pineiro, New Jersey School Boards Association Field Service Representative, will be present to facilitate the discussion and gather feedback.
As a reminder, feedback can also be submitted through the anonymous surveys available on the Superintendent Search webpage. The surveys will remain open until March 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. All students, parents, guardians, community members, staff, teachers, and administrators are encouraged to participate.
Community input is an important part of this process, and your continued engagement is appreciated as the Board of Education works to identify the next leader of our district.
Community input surveys for the Superintendent Search are now available. These anonymous surveys will remain open until March 11, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Separate surveys have been developed to gather feedback from different members of our school community:
These surveys provide an important opportunity for stakeholders to share their perspectives on the qualities, experience, and leadership characteristics that are most important in the next Superintendent. Responses will inform the development of the candidate profile and guide the search process. The surveys can also be found on the district’s Superintendent Search webpage.
In addition to the surveys, the Board intends to host an in-person community feedback session in mid to late March. It is anticipated that this session will be held on the same evening as the March Board of Education meeting. Please note that this date is subject to change based on updates to the state budget calendar. Additional details, including the confirmed date, time, and location, will be shared once finalized.
All members of the Jefferson Township school community are encouraged to participate. This feedback will be essential in helping to identify the next Superintendent to lead our district.
As noted at the Board of Education’s public meeting on February 17, 2026, a dedicated Superintendent Search webpage is now live. It will serve as a central resource for the Jefferson Township community and will be updated regularly as the search progresses.
The webpage includes a detailed timeline, incorporating key milestones. Details regarding upcoming opportunities for community input—including online surveys and in-person meetings—will be shared shortly. Community feedback is an essential part of the search process and will inform the development of the Superintendent profile.
We encourage all members of the Falcon community to visit the webpage and check back frequently for updates.
The Jefferson Township Public Schools Board of Education seeks a forward‑thinking leader committed to academic excellence, whole‑child development, and strong partnerships with families and the community. The district’s five schools serve 2,609 PreK–12 students supported by dedicated staff including 346 educators and a $68 million operating budget. Educators, staff, and the Board work together to help every learner reach their potential while maintaining safe, sustainable environments and fostering inclusivity and a genuine love of learning.
Position available: on or about July 1, 2026
Application Deadline: 5:00 pm ET, Friday, March 13, 2026
New Jersey School Boards Association
Phone: 609-278-5210
E-mail: suptsrch@njsba.org
Dr. Paul Pineiro, Search Consultant
Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer
For more information and to apply, see the official job posting:
At its meeting on February 2, 2026, the Jefferson Township Board of Education (“the Board”) approved the appointment of the New Jersey School Boards Association (“NJSBA”) to assist with the Superintendent search. Since that time, the Board has worked with NJSBA to develop a job posting, which will be advertised publicly later today.
Additional updates on the search process will be shared at the Board’s upcoming public meeting at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, in the Jefferson Township High School Media Center. Following that meeting, a dedicated webpage will be launched to provide ongoing updates regarding the Superintendent search.
As part of the process, the Board will offer opportunities for community input through both an in-person meeting and an online survey. Additional details will be shared as the timeline is finalized.
The Board looks forward to receiving community feedback and incorporating it as it undertakes this important process.