Vernon school district hires new facilities director

The Vernon Township School District on August 11 unanimously approved a new facilities director for the district.

Joseph Van Kirk was hired as director of facilities at an annual salary of $112,000 prorated to September 26 or sooner, depending on when he is released from his current district and fingerprint approval. He has been the director of facilities at Newton Public Schools since December 2016.

His salary will be paid with stabilization aid received from the state.

“I want to thank the interviewers for giving me the time and bringing me in to listen to what I could bring to the district,” Van Kirk said. “Hopefully, I can live up to your expectations and get the facilities to where you want them.”

Board of Education member Ray Zimmerman said several people came in during the interview process and he was confident that Van Kirk would do a good job.

School board member Joseph Sweeney said the previous Friday, he received an “emergency text” to come in and conduct an interview. He was there for four interviews.

“It was an education for me,” Sweeney said. “The candidate that we are appointing tonight was the best candidate that I interviewed that day.”