West Long Branch Superintendent Looking Forward to New Challenges in Barnegat

Come June 30, Karen Wood will no longer be the superintendent of the West Long Branch School District.

Wood, 40, of Lacey, will take the same position in Barnegat, and in turn will leave behind a tenure where she oversaw the day-to-day activities of the Betty McElmon Elementary School and Frank Antonides School for the last three years.

"One of the nicest things (about West Long Branch) is that the community cares about the kids and wants the best for the students," Wood said on Monday.

Wood previously served as a vice principal in Galloway for two years and principal in Absecon for five years before taking over for former superintendent Joan Kelly in West Long Branch. 

Now she is heading back to teach closer to home and tackle the challenge of managing a larger school district.

"I'm really excited for the opportunity to be in Barnegat and I'm looking forward to the K-12 experience and everything Barnegat has to offer," Wood said.

The West Long Branch School District encompasses grades K-8.

Wood said one of things she is most proud over the last three years has been placing an emphasis on improving students' writing skills. 

"We've put a focus on writing and the students have been showing great improvement," Wood said.

She said her greatest challenge as a superintendent are the "stringent regulations imposed on school districts."

"Striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and providing a great education for children is always one of the biggest challenges," she said. 

Challenges such as these are ones that will follow Wood no matter which she district she oversees, but she feels she will have great success in Barnegat.

"Barnegat is well established and has some great potential as a model district for Ocean County," she said.

Wood said her replacement has not yet been named but the school has "several options it is considering."