After months of searching, members of the Cranbury Township Board of Education have selected a new chief school administrator to lead the Cranbury School.
Dr. Jennifer K. Diszler, assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and administration for the South Brunswick School District, was named new chief school administrator (CSA) and principal of the pre-k to grade 8 Cranbury School with a unanimous vote of the school board at its meeting on June 15.
Diszler will begin her new position on Sept. 1. She replaces Susan Genco, who is retiring effective Sept. 1.
“We were looking for a school leader who would build upon our successes and inspire a culture of high expectations for all students and staff and we found that and more,’” said Pramod Chivate, president of the school board. “In addition to her vast experience in curriculum, technology and meaningful professional development, Dr. Diszler has a positive energy and collaborative nature that we believe will resonate with our community. We are thrilled she will be joining us.”
The school board had cited Diszler’s “demonstrated strength in curriculum and technology development and her passionate vision for advancing learning.”
According to the school district, Diszler will work with the school administration and school board to make certain there is a smooth transition before she officially begins in September.
“I am both honored and humbled by this opportunity and I am looking forward to dedicating myself to the Cranbury School District,” Diszler said. “I am truly excited to be joining such a highly regarded district where students are at the forefront of every decision.”
Diszler served two years as the director of curriculum, instruction and technology for the North Brunswick School District before returning to South Brunswick as assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and administration in 2017, according to the school district.
The school board’s Personnel Committee oversaw the search with Strategic Educational Advantage, New York, which the board hired to help with the search. Community input forums and a survey were conducted during the months-long search process.
“We allowed the voices of all of our stakeholders, along with our own analysis and vetting, to inform our decision and we are excited for what the future will hold,’” Chivate said. “We will be creating opportunities for people to get to know Dr. Diszler, and for her to listen and learn about our district right from our students, staff and the Cranbury community.”
Genco is not the only one in leadership, whose retirement goes into effect on Sept. 1. Cranbury School Assistant Principal Michele Waldron is also retiring.
According to the Cranbury School, Genco has served as the school’w CSA for 11 years and Waldron has been with the school for 13 years.
The CSA will help guide the school board in terms of the next assistant principal, school officials said.
“It is so difficult to leave students, friends, families and community members who I love dearly, but it has made it the slightest bit easier knowing the district will be in such wonderful hands,” Genco said. “I am looking forward to doing all I can to help ensure a smooth transition and successful launch of this new chapter in the story of the Cranbury School District.”
Diszler began her educational career as a middle school math teacher in Somerset County and taught for 10 years at both the elementary and middle school level. While teaching, she earned her master’s degree in educational leadership at Rider University in 2006.
In 2010, she joined South Brunswick School District as the middle school supervisor for math and science.
According to the district, Diszler became the director of professional development in 2012 and oversaw coordination of all professional learning for the district, including evaluation system, mandated policy, technology infusion, character education and content-specific training.
In 2015-2017, she served as the director of curriculum, instruction and technology in North Brunswick Public Schools. Diszler returned to South Brunswick to become assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and administration.
