With thSuper task ahead of boarde announcement that their chief administrator is leaving, members of the East Brunswick Board of Education have their work cut out for them in the new year.

Superintendent of Schools Jamie P. Savedoff has announced that he took a job as superintendent in Lower Merion, Pa., and will likely leave his office in the township around March. He has served two and a half years as superintendent, and his departure comes as a surprise since his contract was recently extended through 2006.

Finding the right person to take his place now becomes the most important job facing the school board.

Savedoff’s successor will inherit a large, growing K-12 school district with 11 schools and nearly 9,000 students. The person will also arrive during a continuing building project at Churchill Junior High School, and will deal with an annual budget of more than $100 million.

The school budget is an increasingly hot topic of debate annually in East Brunswick as the school district has experienced sharp tax increases. As a result, many in the community have suggested that the district run on a leaner budget. The next superintendent will have to lead the difficult process of striking a balance between the needs of the school district and the desires of the taxpayers.

It is advisable that the school board take its time in filling the position. Perhaps the best bet is to hire a consulting firm to conduct a nationwide search for the most qualified candidate, much like the Lower Merion board did in finding Savedoff.