Bernards Township School District Advances Superintendent Search

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Bernards Township Board of Education is moving forward with its search for the next leader of the Bernards Township School District as the district prepares for the retirement of its current superintendent, Nick Markarian, at the end of the 2025-26 school year. The board has received 32 applicants for the position and is now preparing to begin interviews with selected candidates.

Why it matters

The superintendent serves as the chief executive officer of the school district, overseeing day-to-day operations, academic programming, budgeting, and long-term strategic planning. The board is seeking a candidate with the leadership experience and vision to maintain the district's strong academic reputation while addressing future challenges.

The details

Markarian began his career in Bernards Township in 2001 as an assistant principal and has spent about 25 years working in the district, including roughly 14 years as superintendent. After the initial round of interviews, the board is expected to narrow the candidate pool and continue with additional evaluations before selecting a finalist. District officials have not yet announced a timeline for when the new superintendent will be formally appointed, but the process is expected to continue over the coming months as Markarian prepares to conclude his tenure.

• Markarian plans to step down at the end of the 2025-26 school year.
• The board has received 32 applicants for the superintendent position.

What’s next

The board is expected to narrow the candidate pool and continue with additional evaluations before selecting a finalist for the superintendent position.