EMERSON—Longtime schools superintendent Brian P. Gatens wrote the community on Jan. 4 to announce — with gratitude for opportunities he’s had to help guide the district’s growth — that he’s stepping down to start a new job in Leonia on July 1. He said a replacement search would be under way.
The Emerson School District consists of some 1,200 students at three schools and held its annual reorganization meeting Jan. 2. Gatens says on his superintendent page that “Our work begins with our pre-kindergarten program and continues 14 years later to our graduating 12th graders. As one of the smallest PK-12 districts in the state, the opportunities for our students only exist in a close-knit community of caring parents, supportive citizens, and dedicated civic leadership.”
Here is his letter on his departure and next steps:
Good morning Emerson,
Happy New Year to our entire school community and I hope that this email finds everyone well as we move through the first week of the new year.
At their regular public meeting last night, the Leonia Board of Education appointed me as their next Superintendent of Schools effective July 1, 2023. As a result, my final day as the Superintendent of Schools for Emerson will be June 30, 2023. Since December 2013, it has been my honor to serve the children of Emerson and work alongside supportive families, and dedicated and hardworking faculty and staff.
I will remain forever grateful for the opportunity to have played my role in the success and growth of the district over the past nine+ years. Whether it be the successful 2018 school referendum, the completion of the 2015-2020 District Strategic Plan, the creation of the 2021-2026 District Strategic Plan, or our successful navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire school community should take rightful pride in the collective progress and growth of the district and the strong foundation that has been built for future students and their families.
The Board of Education will manage the selection process for the next Superintendent of Schools. Please know that I will be fully available to assist and will participate in the transition when a new superintendent is appointed. I have every confidence that the district will continue to thrive due to the dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators who make Emerson the wonderful place that it is.
One final, and perhaps most important, point is that my caring for the teachers, staff, children, and families of Emerson will extend far beyond my tenure as superintendent. All should know that I will always be prepared to assist in any way. Please reach out in the future if I can ever be of help. I consider myself beyond fortunate to have worked for so long in a place as wonderful as Emerson and my gratitude and availability will extend far beyond June 30, 2023.
All my best,
Brian P. Gatens
According to 2022 data from the New Jersey Department of Education, Gatens ranked 99th for pay among school administrators, at some $224,161.
We will update this story.