Township’s new school superintendent an education veteran
Washington Township will have a new school superintendent in May.
The township’s board of education unanimously approved the appointment of Dr. Eric Hibbs at its Feb. 28 meeting. He will serve through June 30, 2027 and earn an annual salary of $215,000 for the 2022-’23 and 2023-’24 school years. Beginning in July 2024 and each subsequent July 1, Hibbs will see an increase in base salary of 2.5%, according to his contract, and also earn merit bonuses.
Hibbs replaces Joseph Bollendorf, who served as superintendent from 2015 to 2022. Former district teacher and administrator Jack McGee became interim superintendent upon Bollendorf’s retirement.
“Our BOE is thrilled to welcome Dr. Hibbs as our next superintendent of schools,” Board President Carol Chila said. “Dr. Hibbs has a proven record of educational leadership, innovation, and technology implementation. Our BOE conducted a comprehensive superintendent search, and we are excited for Dr. Hibbs to join the Washington Township team.”
Hibbs has served as school superintendent in Marlboro Township, Monmouth County, a K-8 district, and held the same post in Mount Holly from 2010 to 2013, after a stint as director of curriculum. He was a teacher in the Southampton Township district until 2005, when he moved into administrative roles in the Runnemede school district as vice principal and principal.
Hailed as “a visionary and collaborative leader,” Hibbs professes a belief in purposeful, planned, executed and inspected systems for change and improvement, and the use of data to drive decisions and support student learning, according to a township press release.
During Hibbs’ tenure, the Marlboro district received state and national recognition from the New Jersey Department of Education for its strong data processes and utilization of digital tools and established a full-day kindergarten program. Marlboro’s Frank Defino Elementary School was recognized as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, the release noted.
Hibbs earned a bachelor’s in philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh and a teaching certification, master’s and doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University. He holds state teaching, supervisor, principal and school administrator certifications and served on state committees for curriculum, legislation and technology.
Hibbs and his wife, Jen, live in Mickleton with their three children.
