Superintendent brought to life a vision of science and technology for the district that the school board hopes to continue.
BRIDGEWATER -- After just over a year on the job, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District Superintendent Victor P. Hayek has resigned.
Hayek, who was appointed in June 2014 and started in August 2014, announced his resignation in an internal email to faculty and staff Tuesday. It is effective Jan. 3, 2016.
"Bridgewater-Raritan is one of the best school districts in the state of New Jersey," Hayek said in an email to NJ Advance Media. "The faculty and staff are among the best I have ever worked with. I am sad to be leaving, but excited to start a new chapter in life."
Hayek, who was the superintendent of the Pequannock Township school district in Morris County before coming to Bridgewater-Raritan, said he and his family are relocating to California, where he has a job waiting. He declined to say what that job is.
Ann Marie Mead, president of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education, said the board will immediately begin planning their search approach for a new superintendent and hope to have a plan in place by the end of the month.
"I would've preferred a different outcome," said Mead, adding the board was "surprised" but not shocked by Hayek's decision to leave. "We're pleased with the direction we're headed. Dr. Hayek has brought some good administrative changes. We wish him well. But we wanted him to stay."
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Mead said among the administrative changes Hayek brought was the hiring of a director of science and technology, who helped focus the district's curriculum in those subject areas.
"Dr. Hayek has helped bring that vision to life," Mead said. "We'd like to continue that vision."
The Bridgewater-Raritan school district, which includes grades pre-K through 12 and has 11 schools, serves nearly 9,000 students. Hayek was replaced by Michael Schilder, who retired in June 2013.
"There are many things that have happened over my time here that I am proud of, but the people in these two communities are what makes me most proud. To have had the opportunity to serve them would be at the top of my list," Hayek said.
Hayek also previously served as a board member and president of the Wayne Board of Education.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
