The Board of Education has officially chosen Director of Curriculum and Instruction Carole L. Butler as its interim superintendent.
At the BOE special meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, the board unanimously voted in favor of naming Butler as interim superintendent of schools. Butler’s contract is effective from Dec. 1 to July 1.
“I just want to thank you very much for this opportunity, and I appreciate working in this new role for the time being we have scheduled,” Butler said to the board. “I’m very excited for the opportunity, as it is a career goal of mine (to have a leadership position). Being here for nine years, I know people in the community, the school system and the culture. It is a thrilling time to be in leadership, and I’m appreciative of the board to give me this time to prove myself.”
A press release from the Moorestown Township Public Schools announced the district had offered the position to Butler on Nov. 19. Before she could officially be appointed, the board had to obtain the approval of the executive county superintendent on the contract.
The special BOE meeting was held on Dec. 1 to appoint Butler as the interim superintendent, as business administrator Lynn Shugars’ contract was expiring on that day. The executive county superintendent had given approval of the appointment earlier that week.
“We are pleased to appoint Ms. Butler as the interim superintendent and look forward to working with her to continue the work being done to make the Moorestown schools the best they can be for students, staff and the community,” BOE President Kathy Goldenberg said after thanking Shugars for her role as acting superintendent.
Butler has been with Moorestown Township Public Schools since 2007, where she started as the principal of William Allen Middle School. In 2013, she left that position to become Moorestown’s director of curriculum and instruction. Butler has 26 years of experience in public education. Prior to coming to Moorestown, Butler was the assistant principal of Montgomery Middle School in Skillman as well as the principal of the Montgomery Summer Enrichment Program.
Butler earned her bachelor’s degree at Eastern College and is certified in early childhood, elementary education and special education in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia. She earned her master’s degree from Villanova University in administration and supervision.
Butler has already hopped into the new leadership position, treating it as if she were the permanent superintendent.
“Even though interim is on my title, I am working very hard already to continue to move the district forward. I’m working already with community members, the board and staff to keep us going forward. I’m treating it as if this is an opportunity to move myself forward and the district as well,” Butler said.
Butler said she is interested in becoming the permanent superintendent.
“I will continue to move this district forward until an official permanent superintendent is named. I’m looking forward to moving our district forward, so our reputation stays strong. I’d like to see us be a leader so other districts will look at us for models,” Butler said.
According to Goldenberg in a previous interview, the board will proceed with its search for a permanent superintendent, which has been its goal since the previous superintendent, Timothy J. Rehm, resigned in August. The board intends to conduct and complete its search for a permanent superintendent with the objective of appointing someone to fill this position by July 1. The board is in the process of appointing a professional search consultant or firm to conduct this search.
