New Wall Township Schools Superintendent Named

The Wall Township Board of Education on Tuesday named the principal of a Monmouth County magnet school as the next superintendent of schools.

Daniel Simon, principal of High Technology High School, beat out a field of about 30 applicants over a 10-month-long search for the district’s top spot. Simon will take the reins of Wall Township Schools in July.

The board’s vote was 7 to 1 with one abstention to approve the appointment. Board member Donald Herbert cast the sole vote against hiring Simon. Melissa Peters abstained.

Several board members praised Simon's enthusiasm, dedication and colloborative management approach in speeches before the vote.

Board member Robin Cervantes said Simon caught her attention early in the interview process and held it throughout.

"For me he stood out because of his positive attitude, his enthusiasm, his educational philosophy and vision for our district,'' Cervantes said. "I feel confident Daniel Simon is the right choice for superintendent of Wall Township School District.''

Board member Anne Moonan praised Simon's background and vision.

"I am happy to cast my vote in favor of hiring him to be our next superintendent,'' Moonan said.

"The one thing that came through in his interviews was his very strong team-building skills,'' said Board member Laurie Cannon. "I think that's the most important piece that we need right now.''

Following the vote, Simon gave a short speech thanking the board and introducing himself to the dozens in the audience.

"Building relationships requires visibility and acessibility, and those are two traits that I value greatly, and anyone who knows me will tell you that,'' Simon said. "On behalf of my family, I want to thank you for your warm welcome and I look forward to the opportunity to meet you all.''

Simon has spent the last 10 years leading High Tech high, which is ranked the top high school in New Jersey and 10th in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. High Tech High is part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District and is located in Middletown on the campus of Brookdale Community College.

The details of Simon's four-year contract are in flux, Board President John Tavis said. His base salary, which is capped by the state at $167,500, must be approved by the Office of the Monmouth County Superintendent and was not revealed Tuesday. Simon in 2011 drew a $141,140 salary from his job at High Tech High, accroding to state records.

Simon, of Freehold Township, holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Dayton, Ohio; a master’s degree in mathematics education from The College of New Jersey and a master's in educational leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is currently working on his doctorate in educational leadership from Liberty University. It is expected Simon will obtain the degree in the spring of next year, Tavis said.

Simon served as chair of the Summit Public School's Mathematics Department for 10 months beginning in Sept. 2001, and Mathematics Supervisor for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Public Schools from July 1999 to Aug. 2001, according to his online resume.

Prior to that, Simon was chair of the Ewing Public Schools Mathematics Department for a year, beginning 1998. He spent six years with the East Brunswick Public Schools as a math teacher beginning in 1992, according to the resume.

Simon, 42, was born in New Brunswick, one of seven children. He has six children of his own and has been active throughout his life in theatre and recently retired as a Cub master for a Cub Scout troop, according to his biography at High Tech high.

Simon also has taught classes in several colleges, including Monmouth, Kean, Farleigh Dickenson University, Rutgers, Middlesex Community College, DeVry IT, and Walden University, the biography says.

Hiring Simon continues a changing of the guard at the top of Wall Schools that began last year when current Superintendent James Habel , which expires at the end of next month. .

. In October, Assistant to head up the Lacy School district.

The school board in January hired Stephanie Bilenker, of Manalapan, as a . Her $600-a-day contract ends in June.