The board of education for the Princeton Public Schools is slated to hire Kathie Foster to serve as the interim superintendent of the school district at a special school board meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. at the Valley Road Administration Building.

Foster will be paid a per diem rate of $1,100 per day. The contract runs from Nov. 14 to June 30. The estimated total cost of the contract, including travel costs and mileage for professional development, is $171,400, according to the contract documents.

Interim Mercer County Superintendent of Schools Daryl Minus-Vincent approved the contract with Foster on Nov. 8.

“We know Kathie to be a kind leader, a creative problem-solver, and an effective communicator. We are confident that Kathie will keep the best interests of all students at the forefront, and that she will provide experienced and steady leadership to all administrators and staff,” the Princeton Board of Education wrote in a letter to parents about Foster’s appointment as interim.

Foster will replace Rebecca Gold, who has been serving as interim superintendent on a short-term basis since Kelley abruptly announced her departure at the end of October. Gold is the district’s interim assistant superintendent for human resources.

Carol Kelley, who is on a paid leave of absence until her resignation is effective Aug. 31. Kelley’s annual salary is $244,800. It is unclear how many sick days, vacation days, and personal days she has accumulated and how those will affect the amount of money she is being paid to stay home.

Foster is no stranger to the Princeton community. She previously served as the interim superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Princeton Public Schools from December 2021 through June 2022, and as the interim principal of Princeton High School from March 2023 through September 2023. Previously she was a superintendent in the Robbinsville Public Schools from 2016 to 2020, when she retired. Foster earned her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, her master’s degree in education administration from Rider University, and her bachelor’s degree from Hope College.