As of the 2021–22 school year, the district, composed of six schools, had an enrollment of 4,583 students and 405.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.3:1.[1]
History
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "GH", the third-highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.[4]
In 2010, the district eliminated D as a passing grade for its middle- and high-schoolers. The district also instituted a rule requiring anyone who earned a D or an F in a course to retake that course.[5]
Core members of the district's administration are:[11][17]
Sumit Bangia, acting superintendent
Nicole Schoening, business administrator / board secretary
Robert Zywicki, who had served as superintendent since 2018, resigned in April 2023, citing claims that he had been "constructively discharged" from his position when he had been placed on paid leave in October 2022 due to the "grudges" of board members.[18] In January 2025, the two parties reached a settlement under which Zywicki would withdraw his complaints and would be paid $645,000, of which just over $150,000 came from the district and the remainder from its insurer.[19]
Board of education
The district's board of education, comprised of nine members, sets policy and oversees the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held (since 2012) as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.[20][21][22]
^Mount Olive Township Board of Education District Bylaw 0110 - Identification, Mount Olive Township School District, adopted June 29, 1998. Accessed January 9, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through twelve in the Mount Olive Township School District. Composition: The Mount Olive Township School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Mount Olive Township."
^Kudisch, Brianna. "N.J. superintendent quits in fiery resignation letter, says school board created 'toxic' environment", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, May 4, 2023. Accessed May 23, 2023. "Mount Olive Superintendent Robert Zywicki submitted his resignation, effective immediately, to the district’s board of education last week. He had led the district since 2018 and was earning $238,000 a year when the school board placed him on paid leave in October for unspecified reasons. In his April 27 resignation letter, Zywicki said some board members have 'personal grudges' against him and 'constructively discharged' him from his position."
^Westhoven, William. "Mt. Olive settles ex-schools chief’s lawsuit. But taxpayers got stuck with part of bill", Daily Record, January 8, 2025. Accessed January 9, 2025. "The long and bitter conflict between the Mount Olive Board of Education and former superintendent Robert Zywicki − who filed a whistleblower lawsuit after his 2023 resignation − has come to an expensive conclusion for taxpayers.... The announcement stated terms of the settlement 'will remain confidential in accordance with the parties' agreement.' But on Monday night, the board voted 5-4 to authorize the deal in a resolution that said Zywicki and his wife and co-plaintiff, Melanie, would be paid $645,000. Of that amount, $152,000 will be paid by the district, with the balance to be covered by insurance, according to the resolution.... He first took legal action on Oct. 28 of that year, two weeks after the board suspended him with pay."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Mount Olive Township School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2023. Accessed January 9, 2025. "Geographically, the Township is comprised of the Budd Lake and Flanders areas, which total approximately 32 square miles and has a population of nearly 29,000 residents. The District currently stands as the fourth largest school district in Morris County with an enrollment of just over 4,700 students. The District is comprised of six schools: four elementary schools serving grades Pre-K through 5, one middle school serving grades 6 through 8, and one high school serving grades 9 through 12.... The Mount Olive Township School District ('District') is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey, established to function as an educational institution. The purpose of the District is to educate students in grades K-12. The District is a Type II district whose operations include the elementary, middle and high schools located in the County of Morris, State of New Jersey. As a Type II district, the District functions independently through a Board of Education ('Board'). The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms and is responsible for the fiscal control of the District." See "Roster of Officials" on page 17.
^Board of Education, Mount Olive Township School District. Accessed January 9, 2025.
