Okun to say goodbye in June after 40 years
Superintendent began career as substitute teacher in Old Bridge
BY LAUREN MATTHEW
Staff Writer

Nicole Okun

Offering their superintendent two standing ovations and some emotional words of support Tuesday, the Old Bridge Board of Education reluctantly accepted the retirement of Nicole Okun.

After 39.7 years in the district, Okun will leave her post on June 30, 2006.

“People have asked me, ‘Why is it 39.7 years and not 40 years,’ ” Okun said. “I started as a substitute teacher, and that didn’t count, but to me it counts. ... I have a lot of respect for substitute teachers.”

Okun served as an elementary and middle school teacher in Old Bridge from 1966 to 1973, when she was named a reading specialist and coordinator at Salk Middle School. Okun later became a learning disabilities teacher consultant and child study team leader. In 1986, she was named director of special services for the district.

In 1992, she became principal of Carpenter Elementary School, five years later taking over as principal of Salk. Okun became assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction in 1999, and moved to her current position as superintendent in 2002.

She is the first female superintendent Old Bridge has had.

Under her tenure, the district is completing its $64 million referendum project, which has renovated schools throughout the district and unified Old Bridge High School into a single campus. Old Bridge also underwent elementary school redistricting and has changed middle school sending patterns under Okun’s watch.

She holds a doctorate in education from Rutgers University, and also completed program requirements in school leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Okun said she made her decision in August and wants to spend more time with her family.

Board members, colleagues and district parents spoke of Okun in glowing terms after the announcement.

Peg Garvey, a district parent, asked board members why they couldn’t talk Okun out of her retirement. But board President Annette Hopman explained that Okun was offered an extension of her contract and chose instead to spend more time with her loved ones.

“You’re an act never to be repeated,” Garvey told Okun.

Another parent echoed Garvey’s sentiments, adding that parents don’t want to see the superintendent leave.

“It’s been my pleasure to work with Dr. Okun because of her high degree of professionalism and sincerity that she brings to her office every day,” said Middlesex County Superintendent Patrick A. Piegari.

Piegari called Okun “an asset to Old Bridge,” and many agree with him.

“You have touched countless lives, including mine,” said board member John Allen, who was a student at Carpenter and at Salk during the times that Okun was a principal at both.

“She’s an icon in this town,” said board member Fred Colabella.

“We will never find anyone with her work ethic,” said member and former board President Gail Kubicke. “She is the only superintendent I know on call 24-7. To me, she’s wonderful. I can’t even imagine what we will be without her.”

As Kubicke spoke about Okun at Tuesday night’s meeting, her voice shook and her eyes teared.

But Okun announced will leave something behind.

“This spring, I will be donating $10,000 to establish a superintendent’s scholarship to be awarded annually to an Old Bridge High School senior,” Okun said.

Instead of any retirement festivities, she requested that donations be made to the scholarship fund or to relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina.

“I really feel that that would be my greatest legacy,” Okun said.

Okun said she will help the board draw up a transition plan for her successor.

“If there is something that we need, and we call Dr. Okun, I’m sure that she will be there for us,” Hopman said.