Assistant chosen to replace superintendent BY DAN NEWMAN Staff Writer HAZLET - After six years as the assistant superintendent of schools in the township, William George will be moving up to the top spot. George, 43, will assume the position of interim superintendent effective Aug. 1 and will have the interim tag removed when Schools Superintendent Renae LaPrete officially retires on Nov. 30. He is currently the administrator in charge while LaPrete is on leave. "I feel like we have a great Board of Education and a great district, and it really all starts with a good commitment from all involved, and I'm honored to have been chosen," George said. George said that his values resonate with those of the district, something that should make his transition a smooth one. Board president Glenn Mason spoke about why George is the right person for the job. "Dr. George presented his five-year plan and goals for the district and we felt that we didn't need to search any further. We were happy not to have to spend $15,000 or more on a search when the best person for the position was right here," Mason said. Prior to arriving in Hazlet as an assistant superintendent in 1995, LaPrete worked in the Rahway school system as a principal and assistant principal for more than eight years. Before that she was a district supervisor in Elizabeth. LaPrete was unavailable for comment. The search to fill George's position will take place this summer, with the goal to have someone in place by Dec. 1. George agreed to a four-year and seven-month contract covering from Dec. 1 of this year through July 1, 2012. His salary for the 2007-08 school year will be $159,200. He will continue to be covered by his assistant superintendent's contract for the period of July 1 through Dec. 1 of this year.