Watchung Hills grad appointed interim borough schools chief

Cheryl Makin, MyCentralJersey.com
·2 min read

WATCHUNG – A Watchung Hills Regional High School graduate has been appointed as the borough school district's interim superintendent.

Rene Rovtar, who graduated from the high school in 1976 and entered the school's Hall of Fame in 2022, will temporarily fill the position vacated by the resignation of George Alexis who is becoming superintendent in Long Hill.

Long Hill and Watchung, along with Warren Township and Green Brook, send their high school students to Watchung Hills.

Rovtar has been serving as interim superintendent in Long Hill since January, where she had served as superintendent from July 2008 through June 2015 before becoming superintendent in Montville.

Rovtar's appointment with Watchung begins July 1. Alexis's employment in the district ends June 30.

Rene Rovtar has been appointed as Interim Superintendent for Watchung school as of July 1.
Rene Rovtar has been appointed as Interim Superintendent for Watchung school as of July 1.

After three-and-a-half years with the district, Alexis announced in mid-April that he was leaving for Long Hill.

Watchung is a pre-K-8 district with about 670 students in two schools − Bayberry Elementary School and Valley View Middle School.

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In announcing the appointment of Rovtar, Board President Amber Murad said Rovtar "brings a wealth of knowledge and experience" to the district.

"We are eagerly looking forward to working with her," Murad said. "Her expertise will undoubtedly contribute to the growth and development of our educational community."

Murad said the school board has hired the New Jersey School Boards Association its search firm for the permanent superintendent position.

According to Murad, NJBSA has initiated the application process, and is seeking input from staff members at Bayberry and Valley View.

Residents can complete an online survey of what they want to see in a new superintendent. A community meeting on the superintendent search is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 22 at Valley View Middle School.

email: cmakin@gannettnj.com

Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Watchung Hills NJ grad appointed interim borough schools chief