RIH Superintendent Schoen Resigning

Ramapo-Indian Hills Superintendent C. Lauren Schoen is stepping down to take a superintendent job in the Mahwah School District.

In a letter dated Feb. 5, Schoen announced that she had submitted her resignation in order to accept the position.

"My four years in Ramapo Indian Hills have been both enjoyable and rewarding," she wrote. "I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as your superintendent. The best aspect of my time in Ramapo Indian Hills has been the opportunity to work with dedicated staff members, motivated students, supportive parents and board of education members who are truly interested in what is best for our district and our students. I will take with me many fond memories."

Her last day at Ramapo Indian Hills will be May 15, she said, and the board will be in discussion shortly to search for a new superintendent.

“I was disappointed to hear that Ramapo Indian Hills School District Superintendent Lauren Schoen has tendered her resignation and will assume a comparable position in Mahwah," said former RIH Board of Education Trustee Ira Belsky. "During my tenure on the Board, including my two years as president ending December 31, 2012, I came to know Lauren as an exceptional educational leader who was committed to enhancing the academic performance of our students and to ensuring high quality in-class instruction from all district teachers.  Mahwah’s gain is a great loss for RIH. Dr. Schoen will be difficult to replace."

Schoen was hired at RIH in 2009 at a salary of $197,500 and her contract was set to expire this summer, according to a northjersey.com report.

According to state guidelines, which took effect in February 2011, superintendent salaries were capped "at $155,000 for districts with 1,501-3,000 students and $165,000 for those with 3,001-6,500 students," according to the website.

There are approximately 2,308 students enrolled in the Ramapo-Indian Hills School District and 3,436 students in the Mahwah K-8 district, according to the website.

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