MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2020
Hello Collingswood and Oaklyn Families,
Since learning of Dr. Oswald's retirement, members of the Collingswood School Board, working with our Business Administrator Mrs. Coleman, formed an Ad Hoc committee tasked with determining the best path forward to hiring a new leader for our district.
Since forming, the committee has been in discussions with professional search firms and consultants to learn more about this process. We purposefully selected groups that know our district and have proven track records of hiring Superintendents that match the leadership needs of the community they will serve. It is the intent of the Board to partner with one of these external search groups in the coming days to start our search in earnest.
We have been fortunate to have Dr. Oswald leading our district for the past 14 years. Finding his successor will not be easy or fast. We will take the time, funds and actions necessary to find the right fit for Collingswood and Oaklyn. We look forward to engaging with the community and staff at different stages of this process and ensuring that your voice is heard. Thank you for your support.
Matthew Craig
Ad Hoc Committee Members:
Collingswood Board President- Fiona Henry
Collingswood Board Vice President- Regan Kaiden
Oaklyn Board President- William Stauts
Collingswood Board Member- Christine Sheridan Celia
Collingswood Board Member- Matthew Craig
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2020
Dear Members of the Collingswood School Community,
Collingswood has been fortunate to be under the leadership of Dr. Scott Oswald for the past 14 years. As the Board of Education accepts his retirement announcement, we reflect on his dedication to the students of Collingswood and its sending districts, Oaklyn and Woodlynne. During his tenure, he has led the district through facilities improvements and technology upgrades that have served us well during this pandemic. Dr. Oswald is a strong instructional leader who recognizes the importance of social-emotional learning and supports needed to ensure students are ready to learn. Consistently, he has kept student achievement as the focus of decisions regarding curriculum and teacher professional development. He is a champion for equity and social justice and has worked consistently with the Board in the ongoing work of improving practices and policies.
Throughout these recent months of uncertainty, our superintendent tirelessly communicated with families to provide a reassuring consistency to the end of an uncharted and uncertain school year. Dr. Oswald’s summer months were spent navigating guidance and mandates from the state and translating that into planning for the current school year in a way that would best serve the students of our district. As the school year unfolds, the Board is confident that Dr. Oswald will continue to support the students of Collingswood Public Schools to succeed in the face of these challenging times. Dr. Oswald will be missed and we wish him the best for his retirement.
Due to Dr. Oswald’s long-term leadership and staff development, we are confident that he is leaving behind a strong team and systems in place to set this district up for success and carry out a smooth transition. The Board is committed to hiring a superintendent who meets the needs of our rich and diverse school community. We are in the beginning stages of this process right now. It is important to us that we ensure all stakeholders - from our teachers, administration and staff to our students, families and community members - have the opportunity to be a part of the process and provide valuable feedback that will help us develop selection criteria that match the priorities of our community. A superintendent sets the tone for a school district and carries out its mission and goals. We know how vital this job is and we do not want to rush the search process for finding the right fit for Collingswood and Oaklyn Public Schools. We will continue to update you as we move through the various stages of the search. As we prepare for the future of Collingswood Public Schools, we wish Dr. Oswald success in his future endeavors.
Sincerely,
The Collingswood Board of Education