His commitment to technology got him invited to the White House. But his personality may have won him the job as the next superintendent of the Morris School District.
Mackey Pendergrast, superintendent of the 2,800-pupil West Morris Mendham Regional High School District, will assume the reins of the 5,700-student K-12 Morris School District in July, at a salary of $167,500.
“I think he’s good people, and extremely forward-looking,” Morris District board Vice President Peter Gallerstein said of Pendergrast, 49.
Gallerstein said the lifelong Mendham resident was chosen from a pool of about 50 applicants to succeed Thomas Ficarra, who retired last October after a dozen years as the Morris superintendent.
While the incoming superintendent impressed her as dedicated and smart, board member Nancy Bangiola
said a third attribute sold her on Pendergrast.
“He’s a very nice guy. That’s important. It’s hard work, and you want to work with people you like, and people you think the community will like,” Bangiola said. The board’s search was assisted by Charlene Peterson of the state School Boards Association.
‘A DISTRICT OF POSSIBILITY’
Pendergrast said establishing partnerships with the community is central to his mission.
“That’s the key to moving forward,” said the former history teacher after the school board announced his hiring on Monday night.
The Morris District is a “district of possibility… for every child. I believe in it completely, and I’m proud to be here,” he said.
Last November, Pendergrast was among 100 superintendents from across the U.S. honored by President Obama for leadership in technology innovation, according to the Morris District.
He also was among 12 superintendents chosen nationwide to help craft the 2015 National Educational Technology Plan.
Pendergrast made news in December when he suspended a teacher at West Morris Mendham High School who was accused of having a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student.
A 1988 graduate of Drew University, Pendergrast holds master’s degrees from William Paterson University and the University of Massachusetts. He has taught history in Summit and Mendham public schools, and has served as a guidance counselor, K-12 social studies supervisor, and director of staff development.
During three years as superintendent of the West Morris regional high school, he oversaw expansion of an advanced placement program and introduced a Career Academy, which offers many classes in science, information technology, life sciences and business management.
“In the words of Cher: ‘We Got You, Babe!'” — District board Vice President Peter Gallerstein to newly hired Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast
Expressing admiration for Ficarra, the former Morris District superintendent, Pendergrast said he was drawn to the district’s values.
“This is a school district that has lived its values for a long time,” he said. “Led by Dr. Ficarra for 12 years, this has been a district focused on principles.
“Some of those principles are sense of obligation to others, integrity, a sense of forward thinking, striving for excellence. The Morris School District lived those values every day for 12 years under his leadership. That is unique. That is something you don’t find in other districts.”
Pendergrast cited the Morris District as a technological leader, with a one-to-one laptop computer program for students in grades 6-12.
“You see the building of a new technology center, without a referendum, without raising taxes. That’s unique,” he said.
Pendergrast, who enjoys hiking with his wife — an educator in Summit — and their two sons, will take over leadership from Catherine Mozak, who has been serving as the Morris District’s interim superintendent.
EXPANSION, AND TESTING HEADACHES
He comes to a district where more than 90 percent of pupils continue to college, and many are accepted into top-tier schools.
It’s also district that is growing fast. Construction is scheduled to start in June on a four-phase, $13 million expansion of Morristown High School.
By 2018–the building’s centennial–the district is projected to have 500 more students than it had in 2011.
District officials say the increase is stems largely from an improved housing market: Families are buying single-family homes in Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains that had been off the market during the recession.
The board anticipates the expansion can be accomplished within its state-mandated 2 percent budget cap.
Pendergrast also arrives as districts across the state are phasing in the controversial PARCC standardized tests. The state has told district officials that these online tests will become graduation requirements by 2019.
At Monday’s meeting, Mozak, the interim superintendent, said she is concerned that the Morris District’s test performance — and maybe, federally funded programs tied to 95-percent participation– may be affected because so many top students are choosing not to take the PARCC tests.
Morristown High sophomore Nicole Williams said her entire history class has opted out, because of questions about the goals of these tests.
“Online tests give me a headache!” she added.
Meanwhile, the 750-member Education Association of Morris, working without a contract since last summer, has yet to approve a tentative agreement with the board announced in December.
The new superintendent also inherits a pending lawsuit by parents of an MHS freshman who contend that unchecked bullying prompted their son’s suicide in 2012. The district has called the accusations unfounded.
But Monday was a night for congratulations, over cookies and coffee in the Lafayette Learning Center gym.
Watch video of the new superintendent’s first talk to residents
Well wishers included Police Chief Pete Demnitz , Pastor Sidney Williams Jr. of the Bethel AME Church, and members of the Morris Educational Foundation, which hosts the eighth annual Morristown’s Got Talent benefit show on Wednesday.
Board member Fran Rossoff said she was bowled over by Pendergrast’s enthusiasm.
“He felt this was the ultimate job for him,” she said.
Mark Manning, a former history teacher in his first year as principal at Morristown High School, said it will be exciting to work for another former history teacher.
“He’s sincere, bright, down-to-earth,” Manning said. We’re thrilled.”
