Judith Wilson retired on Dec. 31 after nine years as superintendent of Princeton Public Schools.
Princeton Public Schools superintendent, Judith Wilson, retired Dec. 31
By Jean Wang
When Judith Wilson retired as superintendent of Princeton Public Schools at the end of December, she found herself leaving behind a school district very different than the one she first took over nine years ago.
“In 2004, I was surprised by a lot,” Wilson said. “I was surprised by the facilities, by the lack of coordination in the curriculum, in the turn over of personnel in the administration ranks, and I think today, all those things are steady.”
During her tenure from 2005 to 2013, Wilson oversaw the establishment of a standards-based curriculum for pre-K through 12 and a stronger support system for disadvantaged students.
Wilson’s retirement from the district was effective on Dec. 31, making way for new Superintendent Stephen Cochrane, 53, who was hired by the school board in October. Cochran, formerly assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction at Upper Freehold Regional School District, signed a 4½-year contract and will be paid $167,500 per year, the maximum allowable under the state’s cap on superintendent salaries.
“I think the greatest testament to Judy’s time in Princeton is that she took a good district and made it much better,” said School Board President Timothy Quinn.
“When you work closely with a superintendent of schools, you realize the breadth of knowledge and expertise the job requires. In addition to instruction, superintendents need to be fluent in facilities management, legal matters, labor negotiations, health care, human resources and emergency management, to name a few,” Quinn said.
“Judy has assumed all of these disparate roles with enthusiasm, passion and grace, navigating 3,500 students and 650 or so staff members through an unprecedented challenging time for public education. Never once did she lose focus of her most important role, the one she cherishes: that of an educator. Indeed, Judy is a teacher for us all.”
When asked about the specific changes of which she was proud, Wilson mentioned her work in improving pre-K education, creatin g a strong program for autistic children, expanding the sciences and arts, developing a world languages program that serves as a model for the state, and focusing on students’ social-emotional well being.
However, Wilson remained modest, emphasizing the importance of a talented and devoted faculty, a strong administration, a student-centered board of education, and an incredibly generous community in helping make these changes happen.
“I don’t see any of them as mine,” Wilson said of the accomplishments her administration has made. “I truly, truly don’t.”
Beyond these achievements, Wilson hopes for her legacy to be a mindset that will guide the district moving forward.
“If I can hope that there would always be two strong pillars of thinking in the district, they be that the work and decisions are student centered, and that in the end, it’s all about the people — meaning hiring those with the most talent, the most potential and the most devotion to the district,”” she said.
However, Wilson noted that these pillars were being challenged by increasing regulations from the state Department of Education.
“The challenges and the changes are one and the same,” Wilson said of the biggest changes she’s seen during her tenure, and the future challenges facing the district. “More and more restrictions from the state. More and more mandates. More and more regulations.”