The Deptford board of education named interim superintendent Kevin Kanauss its official head of schools at an April 4 meeting, a position he will hold for three more years.
Kanauss’ term as superintendent began on April 1 and will continue until June 30, 2026. He earned a round of applause from those in attendance at the meeting and was accompanied by his family.
Kanauss took over the position of acting superintendent from Arthur Dietz, who resigned on Jan. 1 and was described by peers as a great superintendent who helped guide the school district through COVID and oversaw recent renovations and changes at Deptford Middle School.
“He has left the district in a very good place, and I hope to carry the torch for him entering the year 2023,” Kanauss said of his predecessor.
“The future’s looking bright,” said Board President Joe McKenna.
Kanauss’ district career began when he became a long-term substitute teacher at the township middle and high school in September of 2006, according to the district’s website. The following year, he became an eighth-grade math teacher at the middle school and taught there for five years.
Kanauss was promoted to his first major administrative role in 2012 as the supervisor of curriculum and instruction, where he helped establish the district’s courses in engineering and biomedical sciences. He also started the articulation partnership – a formal partnership between two or more colleges – with then-Rowan College.
Kanauss became director of curriculum and instruction in January 2018, and was named chief academic officer of the district in August of that year. That position led to his appointment as acting superintendent at the beginning of 2023, after Dietz resigned.
“Once again from me, and I’m sure a lot of the board members feel the same way, I don’t think we could have had a better pick,” said board Vice President James McDevitt, addressing Kanauss.
“We got a young, energetic and young family, and I think you’re going to do really great here,” he added. “I’m proud to say that you are no longer the acting superintendent, you are our superintendent, and we’re glad to have you and we wish you luck.”
“We will continue to listen to the pulse of the district and community as we budget and map out our course for 2023 and for the 2023-2024 school year,” Kanauss noted.
“Open communication and feedback from our community is vital to our students’ and district’s success.”
