Michael LaSusa, who is the superintendent of schools in a northern New Jersey school district, has been named to become the Princeton Public Schools new superintendent of schools.
LaSusa was officially appointed to the top administrative post at a special Princeton school board meeting Jan. 8. He starts on July 1.
LaSusa was awarded a five-year contract that begins July 1 and ends June 30, 2030. He will be paid $285,000 in the first year, and $308,493 in the fifth year of the contract.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Kathie Foster will stay on until LaSusa takes over. She was appointed to serve as the interim superintendent of schools following the paid leave of absence and subsequent resignation of former Superintendent of Schools Carol Kelley.
The search for a new superintendent of schools began in October 2024. The school board hired consultant School Leadership LLC to conduct the search.
LaSusa was one of 37 applicants for the open position, which included 17 current superintendents of school. The list was whittled down to eight candidates in the first round of in-person interviews, including LaSusa. He was offered the job and accepted it.
LaSusa has been the superinendent of schools for the School District of the Chathams for 13 years. He began his career as a middle school Spanish teacher in Philadelphia and was hired in 2001 to teach Spanish and social studies at Chatham High School.
He served as a high school principal and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Chatham school district, before being named as its superintendent of schools.
LaSusa, who was accompanied by his wife, Jessica, and their twin sons, Carter and Thad, received a warm welcome from the school board and meeting attendees.
School board president Dafna Kendal said the school board is “thrilled” to welcome LaSusa to become its next superintendent of schools.
“We look forward to his leadership,” Kendal said. “Princeton is a lighthouse district, and we know Mike will make the light shine brighter.
“Mike is committed to equity and the belief that all children can succeed. We are confident that he has the skills to make meaningful improvement in all our students’ education.”
Kendal specifically pointed to the education of students of color and to students who are enrolled in the special education program and related services.
Kendal said LaSusa spent the day in the school district before the meeting and visited the six schools. He also met with representatives of the four employee unions.
LaSusa told the school board that he was “totally overwhelmed” by the welcoming response to his visit to the district. He met with employees that included the technical staff, custodians, principals, teacher’s aides and lunchroom aides.
“They exuded a pride in the community that I honestly did not anticipate before today,” he said.
LaSusa admitted that it was not easy to leave the Chatham school district, but what tipped the scale was an opportunity that was so special and singular that he had to pursue it.
“Princeton is a special place,” LaSusa said. “It is historic, it is important and it is a leader. What drew me to the district was the diversity of the student body, including the language diversity.”
Chatham school board member Jill Weber, who attended the school board meeting, told the board that its gain was Chatham’s loss.
LaSusa’s dedication, vision and unwavering commitment has left an indelible mark on the Chatham school district and community, Weber said. She has served on the school board for 14 years, including 12 years as the board president.
“I can say from personal experience that you have made an exceptional choice (and) one that will have a monumental impact on your district and community for years to come,” she said.
Weber described LaSusa as genuine, approachable and focused on what truly matters. Underneath his laid-back exterior lies a dedicated, strategic and forward-thinking leader who will exceed his new school district’s expectations, she said.
During public comment, Crystal Riddick, who is the president of the Princeton Administrators Association, thanked the school board for selecting a candidate who cares about academics and students’ overall mental health.
“We’ve seen so many smiles, speaking with you today,” said Riddick, who is the supervisor of special education at Princeton High School. “Thank you for making Princeton smile again.”
