Crisfield Is Millburn's Choice for Superintendent

The Millburn Board of Education has selected James A. Crisfield as its schools superintendent candidate. He is the superintendent in the Warren School District.

The school board held a special meeting Wednesday night to introduce Crisfield, and a meet-and-greet was held after the brief formal session.

What attracted him to Millburn was the emphasis on education in the township and the community support for it. He loves the interaction between the community and the schools, Crisfield said. "We may disagree, but it is all for the same common goal," he said.

A Summit resident, he said he is very familiar with the community for non-education reasons and because he is a neighbor.

Board President Noreen Brunini said the board chose Crisfield because they believe he is going to be a wonderful fit for the Millburn district. "Within minutes we knew he was the hand in the glove," she said.

He's done everything from being a teacher to a coach to a business administrator, she said. "To find such a well-rounded candidate is rare," she said.  "He's very caring about his district. It became quickly apparent he was a good fit."

Crisfield is to fill the superintendent position starting July 1 after Schools Supt. Richard Brodow retires. "I don't intend to replace Rich (Brodow)," he said Wednesday night. "I plan to succeed him."

The board, however, cannot appoint him officially until after the school election in April. He is set to be appointed on April 26. Brunini said Crisfield's contract will not be official until then. The details are sketched out, but they are weeks away from being final. Brunini said it would not be appropriate to announce a salary until the contract is approved.

But Crisfield has mixed emotions about leaving the Warren School District because he's been there for a decade. He is close to his leadership team there, he said.

The Millburn board visited Warren on Wednesday, and Brunini said it was a terrific visit. "They are very sad to lose him," she said. "He's well-loved." There are initiatives he has completed in Warren that will translate well in Millburn, she said.

Crisfield has served in the Warren School District for nine years. He is a Stanford University graduate and served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force after college.

He started his teaching career at Summit High School before serving as a business administrator with the East Hanover Board of Education. He served as assistant superintendent in Warren before becoming superintendent in 2004.

He earned his masters of arts in teaching from Boston College and his doctor of education and master of education from Rutgers University.