Sumpman to lead Hardyston District

Hardyston — More buildings, more students and bigger challenges are on the way for Martin Glen Sumpman, who will be taking over as superintendent/chief school administrator of the Hardyston Township School District. “I look forward to the challenges. Right now I work in a district with only one school and Hardyston has multiple buildings,” he said. “This position offers me some opportunities to work in a larger district, which will be interesting.” Currently Sumpman is the superintendent at the Sandyston-Walpack Consolidated School, a K-6 school with 176 students. He has had previous experience in larger districts, as a principal in the Sussex-Wantage Regional School District and superintendent of the Lafayette Township School District. “I have been a chief administrator in a number of districts,” Sumpman said. “I like to think that I bring special skills to each district and that I left them better places when I left.” Anthony Norod, who returned to the district as acting superintendent after Dennis Tobin resigned last year, is confident that Sumpman will do the same for Hardyston. “We have known each other for a long time. It is a pleasure to know that someone better than I is taking over,” said Norod. Sumpman’s first challenge will be the new middle school roof, which is scheduled to start next week, but it’s not his only goal by far. “I believe wholeheartedly in establishing a strong program in the base fundamentals,” he said. “I am very committed to make that happen for every child.” Sumpman also believes strongly in working with the community as a whole. “I also like to try to make a bond between the school and the families of the children in the district,” he said. “I believe that strong families make a solid foundation for a strong school.” Sumpman begins in his new position on August 15, at a salary of $135,000 per year.