School Superintendent Retiring After 4 Decades in Neptune City
 Coaster Photo: Robert Shafer is retiring as the school superintendent in Neptune City |
Shafer attended Seton Hall University for his supervisor/principals certification and became principal in 1984 and superintendent in 1998.
Despite his lengthy career Shafer had no plans to be an educator when he entered what was then called Newark State College, now known as Kean University.
He has thoroughly enjoyed his chosen profession, but says he would not advise going beyond being a principal.
There is not as much as interaction with the kids, he said. I missed that….and there is too much paperwork.
During his tenure in the district Shafer implemented numerous new programs including an all day kindergarten, ESL program, after school homework center, expanded after school activities and guided the district successfully through both general and special education state monitoring.
Recently Shafer received an email from a former student now serving in Iraq,
He told me you cant retire..thank you for all the nice things you did when I was in school, Shafer said, noticeably moved by the comments from the 30-something soldier.
Shafer said he and wife Barbara, a borough councilwoman, will finally get to travel to places they have not had the time to see.
Hawaii is first on the list, he said.
As an administrator Shafer does not have summers off and Barbara has a career of her own.
I always had to work my vacations around Easter, he said. We have a two week timeshare in Aruba we haven’t been able to use.
Shafer also plans to spend time with his 11 grandchildren.
A grandson who lives in Toms River plays school sports and Shafer will now be able to attend his games.
Hes quite an athlete and I really want to get to his games…that will be part of my day.
Bob and Barbara were both divorced, he with four children and she with two.
After separating from his first wife, Shafer moved into the Brighton Arms apartments for a year with his four children.
His son, Bobby, and her daughter, Amy, were best friends and when their divorced parents began focusing too much attention on the kids, Bobby and Aimie decided it was time to set up a date.
I was driving my kids crazy and she was driving her kids crazy so Bobby said to me why dont you go see Amys mother, he explains.
They took them up on it and will be married 19 years in July.
Its been a great 19 years, he says.
Shafer expects an easy transition when vice principal Thomas Campbell takes the reigns.
Hes been here 9 years, it will be an easy transition, he said.
Shafer said he would not feel comfortable handing the school over to someone who was not familiar with it or the community.
Thinking of his impending retirement Shafer said, I never thought Id say it, but its time to go.
Contact Joanne Papaianni at joanne@thecoaster.net.
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