New schools chief excited for P'burg

Having held positions in elementary, middle and high schools throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Mark Miller, 50, of Upper Mount Bethel Township, said he is confident his newest challenge as Phillipsburg superintendent is the job he was made for.

"It's almost like coming home," Miller said Thursday.

Pending approval from the Warren County Department of Education, Miller will take on a four-year commitment to a district in the midst of transition.

Restructuring of the administration has begun and a long-awaited high school lingers on the horizon.

"I'll tell you what's daunting," said Miller. "What's daunting is being named the fifth head coach for a team that's had no wins in years. The new high school? This is exciting."

Miller's journey into education began on the football field. Born one of four children, he grew up in Roseto and attended Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pa., where he played football for four years.

After earning a degree in geography and regional planning, Miller took a job as an assistant coach at Pius X High School at the urging of a friend, John Smith.

Smith, now principal at Pen Argyl Area High School, said Miller's talents were striking.

"Mark always impressed me with his human relations skills," said Smith. "He's a great educational leader for kids."

Officials have yet to disclose Miller's salary. They said a contract is being reviewed by the Warren County Department of Education.

Miller obtained a teaching certificate from East Stroudsburg University, where he pursued a master's degree in school administration.

He left Pius X for a teaching position in Belvidere, where he also served as football head coach. He eventually became an assistant principal there.

The career lessons available in athletics should never be underestimated, said Smith. Pressures that come with such a job can prepare a person for administrative work in ways nothing else can, he said.

"Miller is used to making those decisions that have to be made within seconds and having to sometimes say no," said Smith.

Miller stepped down during after his sixth year as head coach to spend more time with his two children. Anthony, now 21, and Mary, now 20, are a source of pride for Miller and wife Jan, he said.

"I began putting life into perspective," Miller recalled. "My goal was to be a superintendent, but I knew that to be a good, well-rounded one I needed to experience all grade levels."

Working his way from high school down, Miller took on assistant principal, principal, and eventually his first superintendent position in Knowlton Township.

"You learn how to be warm and fuzzy, firm and fair," said Miller of the lessons learned in his 24 years in the field.

He then took a job in the Newton, N.J., school system when his wife encouraged him to apply for the superintendent position.

During his four years there, he said, his administration worked to bring the school's test scores up to state standards and "slim down" the school's management.

"By the time we were done, things were running like a well-oiled machine," said Miller.

And it was Jan, yet again, who urged Miller to go after his latest venture in Phillipsburg.

Phillipsburg school board President Paul Rummerfield said Miller's extensive resume stood out among the other candidates.

"Hopefully he can bring to Phillipsburg the best of all those districts," said Rummerfield.

Miller expects to have to wrestle with the constant challenge of state standards, increased teacher retirement and slim state funding while in Phillipsburg.

As for his rather mobile past, Miller said he has worked hard to gain the necessary experience to succeed at his ideal job.

He said with Phillipsburg, he may have stumbled upon that very place.

"I've been looking for the perfect fit," said Miller, "I truly think I've found that here."