On January 7, Michael LaSusa shared that he would leave his job as Superintendent of the School District of the Chathams at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
After serving as superintendent for 13 years and working in the district for nearly 24 years, he announced he would take on the role of Superintendent for Princeton Public Schools starting July 1, 2025.
LaSusa has been a big part of the Chatham school community, where he started in 2001 as a Spanish and Social Studies teacher at Chatham High School.
Over the years, he took on roles such as high school principal and assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction before becoming superintendent.
While leading the district, he worked hard to improve education for students in many ways.
For example, he developed programs to support student mental health, adjusted the high school start time to suit teen sleep needs better, and introduced a Holocaust and Genocide Studies course for middle school students.
He also introduced Holocaust book collections to both the middle and high schools.
In addition, he improved special education programs, introduced new languages like Chinese (simplified) and American Sign Language for students in Grades 6-12, and invested heavily in arts and athletics programs.
His efforts earned him recognition, including being named Region One New Jersey Superintendent of the Year in 2019.
He also held leadership roles in statewide education organizations like the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and the Garden State Coalition of Schools.
In his farewell message to Chatham, LaSusa expressed deep gratitude to the community, calling the district his second home and acknowledging how hard it was to leave.
He shared that he believed change could bring new opportunities and growth for individuals and organizations.
Before his departure, he plans to make sure current projects, such as the rollout of full-day kindergarten and adjustments to grade levels, stay on schedule and move forward smoothly.
On January 8, the Princeton Board of Education officially approved his appointment during a meeting at the district office on Valley Road; the decision followed months of searching for the right candidate.
LaSusa will replace Acting Superintendent Kathie Foster, who has served since November 2023 after the previous superintendent, Carol Kelley, resigned.
He takes over at a critical time, as the district faces rising enrollment fueled by the construction of over 1,000 new housing units in the area.
Princeton is also moving forward with a $89.1 million facilities bond referendum, which residents will vote on on January 28.
The referendum aims to fund expansions, renovations, and infrastructure improvements to accommodate the growing number of students.
If approved, the funds will be used to upgrade several schools, including new classrooms, science labs, upgraded cafeterias, and improved HVAC systems.
The referendum is split into three parts, each building on the last.
The first phase, costing $37.9 million, focuses on improvements at Community Park Elementary and Princeton High School, and it’s estimated to increase taxes by about $222 a year for the average homeowner.
The second phase adds $38.3 million for upgrades at Princeton Middle School and additional renovations at the high school, raising the total estimated tax impact to $447 per year if both parts are approved.
The third part, which costs $12.9 million, is centered on improving Littlebrook Elementary.
If voters approve all three parts, the total tax increase would be $532 per year.
The district could also get $19.9 million in state aid if all questions are approved, which would help reduce costs drastically.
So the community could stay informed, Princeton held a forum on January 11 at Princeton Middle School and scheduled school tours to explain the projects and their importance.
Evidently, LaSusa brings a wealth of experience to Princeton.
In Chatham, he successfully managed large-scale projects, built programs to support students, and improved schools with careful planning.
While Chatham’s enrollment has decreased slightly, Princeton’s is growing, and LaSusa’s ability to handle change will be a big advantage.
His approach, which focuses on steady, small improvements over time, is well-suited to Princeton’s future goals.
As he prepares for his new role, Princeton is excited about the leadership and skills he will bring to the district.
At the same time, LaSusa is working with Chatham’s Board of Education and school leaders to make sure the transition is smooth, and everything stays on track after he leaves.