Schools

BOE Chooses New Brick Schools Superintendent

Walter Uszenski will lead Brick district

Dr. Walter Uszenski will be Brick's next schools superintendent.

The township resident of 15 years, who currently serves as superintendent in the Spotswood school district in Middlesex County, will take the helm of the Brick school district Aug. 1 as chief schools administrator.

Uszenski, 60, was present at a meeting Tuesday night at Brick Township High School where the Board of Education unanimously voted to recommend his hiring and four year contract to the county executive schools superintendent.

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"In my opinion, his character, his integrity, his honesty and his leadership qualities were outstanding," said Board President Sharon Kight, looking back at interviews conducted over the past few weeks. "They just came out loud and clear."

"I think that's something this district has been looking for for a long time," she added.

Find out what's happening in Brickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Living in the district, I've always had my eye on Brick schools," said Uszenski, who was accompanied by family members at Tuesday night's meeting.

"My dream has always been to have my capstone. I've felt that being a Brick leader would be my dream come true."

Uszenski said his specialities have been in the areas of curriculum and community outreach.

"I think we can partner with the community, get them to come in," he said. "They have to be active partners."

Uszenski added his past academic endeavours have included instituting four-year math programs at the high school level, advancing honors and AP programs and focusing on foundations in the lower grades.

He also said he has introduced modified block scheduling at the high school level and has instituted peer evaluations among teachers to be used as a learning tool.

"I'm a collaborative leader, and a team player," he said.

Uszenski will earn $175,000 per year as superintendent in Brick. In Spotswood, he was to be paid $150,648 for the 2012-13 school year, according to a copy of the K-12 district's school budget.

He will replace current Superintendent Walter Hrycenko, who will revert to the position of assistant superintendent, the last position in which he holds tenure, on Aug 1. The current assistant superintendent, Patricia Lorusso, will be bumped to the position of principal, her last tenured position.


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