BY LINDA DeNICOLA
Staff Writer

Patrick R. Collum Monmouth Regional High School in Tinton Falls is losing it’s Superintendent, Patrick R. Collum, who served the school district for 27 years.

Collum’s retirement is effective next February. He served as the head of the school district for the past 15 years, and as assistant superintendent for business for 12 years.

He explained that his decision to retire was not a surprise to the board because he had discussed it with them early in the summer.

“We have a middle states evaluation going on. It is something that happens every 10 years and I was here for the last one. I promised myself that I would stay until the middle states evaluation was completed. That’s how I arrived at the date.”

In his resignation letter dated Aug. 23, Collum, a Rumson resident, said, “It is truly with mixed emotions that I submit my letter of resignation for retirement effective Feb. 1, 2006. Monmouth Regional has been my home and my extended family for over 27 years. During the past 15 years, I have had the privilege of being in a role where I could influence the direction of one of the finest districts in Monmouth County.”

He explained what he liked most about the job and what he liked least.

“I like being in the hallways, classrooms, and cafeteria, attending plays, concerts, dances, National Honor Society inductions, dinners, public functions and sporting events. I regret that attending these functions doesn’t leave room for a life outside of Monmouth Regional. I have always held close to my heart the philosophy that the job of the superintendent cannot be done in the superintendent’s office or between the hours of 8 am. to 4 p.m, plus Tuesday evenings. To do the job the way I want to do it requires total commitment.”

Cullom said at this point in his life, he would like to spend more quality time with his family.

“I can’t do that and do the job of superintendent the way I feel it should be done.”

He has been in education for a total of 32 years, starting out at the Keansburg Board of Education

Board of Education President Anthony Schaible said Collum has been a true asset to the district.

“He has guided us through a bond referendum and building program and has always been an educational leader, and highly visible in the school and community.

“He has been a familiar face at countless sporting events, evening activities and community functions. His commitment to the district and the students was total.”

The board has contracted with New Jersey School Boards to conduct a search for a replacement. A Community Forum will be held in the high school Media Center on Tuesday to gather community input.

Collum said the state school board will meet on Sept. 20 with the Board of Education to give members input from the stakeholders so they can get a sense of what the community and the staff want as far as a replacement. Then an ad will be run in the newspapers.

The interview process will probably begin in November with a decision made in early to mid-December.

“Since I’m not going to another position, I could move my date up a month or so until they get someone on board. The school district won’t go without a superintendent.”