Veteran educator departs Hackensack for role as assistant schools chief in Wayne

WAYNE — A veteran educator from Bergen County has been appointed to be the township district's assistant schools chief following an exhaustive search that drew almost six dozen applicants.

Lauren Kazmark, 46, now the director of curriculum for the Hackensack K-12 district , emerged as the top candidate, and she will start the job by Nov. 26.

Kazmark, who will get a prorated annual salary of $197,000, has a doctorate in education leadership from Saint Elizabeth University — known for more than a century as the College of Saint Elizabeth. She will succeed Donna Reichman, who is retiring this month.

Reichman, 55, who is paid $204,961 per year, is stepping down after two decades of service to the local K-12 district . She held multiple positions over that time, including as principal of A.P. Terhune School and as director of elementary education.

“I’m retiring with a deep sense of pride,” she said in an email.

Reichman began her career teaching fourth grade for a much smaller school system in rural Tewksbury Township, later helping the Wayne district to establish a full-day kindergarten program and to open the early childhood center at Preakness School.

She also cited the inception of the Wayne Township Learning Center as a major accomplishment. The rented space, in a former office building owned by William Paterson University on Valley Road, is a central location for teachers to conduct workshops, she said, “ensuring a culture of sustainability for many years to come.”

Reichman said she looks forward to spending more time with family and friends. She plans to continue support of public education by consulting districts on curriculum writing and the development of gifted and talented programs.

Kazmark started her career teaching special education for the Paramus K-12 district . She joined the Hackensack district in April 2015.

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Thomas McBryde Jr., the Hackensack schools superintendent, said in a statement that his counterparts in Wayne are lucky to have Kazmark on board. She was a “champion for children, ensuring they received access to high-quality curriculum,” he said, adding that “we wish her well in her new role.”

Philip DeVencentis is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: devencentis@northjersey.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Veteran educator departs Hackensack for role as assistant schools chief in Wayne