Cranbury School Gets New Chief, Principal

An emergency meeting was held by the Wednesday evening to select Susan Genco, Ed.D, as the district’s new chief school administrator and principal of the . This past January, the district for this position and Dr. Genco was selected this week in a unanimous vote of 7-0.

“I couldn’t be more excited because during the interview process I learned that Cranbury shares my beliefs in education, and I am looking forward to learning more about the community,” Dr. Genco said. She continued, “It’s clear that their (the Cranbury Board of Education’s) commitment to children is important, and this was the deciding factor for me in choosing to take the position. I look forward to working with the staff, getting to know them and developing a relationship with them.”

According to Cranbury School Business Administrator and Board of Education Secretary Joyce Picariello, the district wanted to finalize the contract and receive county approval on Dr. Genco’s post, which occurred earlier on Wednesday, at 2 p.m. Dr. Genco has given her notice at her current school, the Emma Havens Young Elementary School in Brick Township. “We are hoping that she can begin in Cranbury as close to July first as possible. That was why there was such urgency in finalizing this process,” Picariello said.

Dr. Genco, who will earn a salary of $130,000, will run the day-to-day business of the Cranbury School as principal while also helping the district meet its goals as chief school administrator, Picariello said.

Back in January, the board interviewed three search agencies before deciding to hire Leadership Advantage to conduct the current CSA search, according to Jennifer Cooke, the chair of the Board of Education’s Personnel Committee. Picariello said there were approximately 15 candidates who applied for the CSA position.

“Dr. Genco possesses all of the leadership qualities that one needs to succeed in the dual role of Chief School Administrator and Principal and exhibits a true love for children,” Board President Lynne Schwarz said in a letter that went out to parents and guardians throughout the district.

“The Board believes that Dr. Genco will be a good fit to Cranbury School and will add something special to our community. We look forward to working together with Dr. Genco on our path to excellence, and hope you will join us in offering a warm Cranbury welcome when she assumes the role of CSA/Principal in July.”

Dr. Genco has worked in education for 14 years and has served as supervisor of curriculum for the Spring Lake Heights Elementary School, which was recognized in 2003 through the Governor’s School of Excellence.

As chief school administrator, Dr. Genco will oversee approximately 700 children in the K-8 Cranbury school district.

In addition to her work in education, Dr. Genco serves on the executive board for the organization Change a Life Uganda. The organization is a not-for-profit group that provides education for children in Uganda through school-based programs and reaches out to families to help them become self-sufficient through income-generating projects and access to quality healthcare.

Dr. Genco is originally from Brick Township and received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She completed her doctorate in educational leadership at Rowan University.

According to Dr. Genco, her viewpoint on education is all about opportunity. “My philosophy is that students should be afforded the chance to discover their unique strengths and talents,” she said.

“Teachers should possess a strong educational background and be willing to take educational risks in the classrooms to benefit students. The students should always be the first ones considered when making decisions.”