Christina Steffner will stay in her role as superintendent at Hunterdon Central Regional High School through June.
FLEMINGTON -- Hunterdon Central Regional High School Superintendent Christina Steffner is leaving at the end of this school year to lead Livington Public Schools. Her selection was announced on the Livingston district's website Wednesday morning.
Christina SteffnerSteffner, reached at her office at Hunterdon Central on Wednesday, said the decision to leave "is very difficult.
"It's an amazing school district with extraordinary students and very talented staff and a supportive community," she said.
She's dealt with some controversy in the nine years she's been there -- four as principal and the last five as district superintendent. Issues have included oversight of the school newspaper "The Lamp," observation of religious holidays in the school calendar, and most recently, a Muslim teacher sued the district alleging discrimination.
Steffner said none of that spurred her to leave the district.
"My contract is up June 30, and I must say the salary cap has had some bearing on my decision," she said. "I started to see what other opportunities are out there."
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Livingston Public School district has nine schools with 5,714 students as of the 2011-12 school year. Hunterdon Central Regional High School serves students from Delaware, East Amwell, Raritan and Readington townships and Flemington. Enrollment in 2013-14 is was 3,042 students.
Steffner replaces Jim O'Neill, the former interim superintendent in Livingston who retired last year.
O'Neill guided board members in their superintendent search. Emerging as the top candidate, Steffner met with Livingston staff, administrators and parents last month in an informal series of meetings.
"Livingston is a good fit," Steffner said. "I'm excited about it."
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Livingston officials welcome her experience. Steffner "exhibited an honesty and openness to discussing a wide range of issues, and in her answers highlighted a track record for continuously moving forward in areas that would be beneficial to Livingston," school board President Ron Spring in announcing her appointment.
Livingston officials pointed to Steffner's experience as a principal, saying, "In that role, she was instrumental in infusing instructional technology in the classroom and creating a professional development model based on 21st century skills.
That experience with technology and teacher training will be significant as Livingston prepares for its own one-to-one computing initiative, Spring said.
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Steffner said she'll continue at Central until the end of her contract in June.
"Hunterdon Central will always have a special place in my heart," she said. "But I've been here nine years. Maybe it's time for a change."
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.