After two years without a permanent district leader, the Hastings Board of Education expects to vote to appoint Dr. Roy Montesano as superintendent of schools at their board meeting on Monday night. 

"We think he's calm and collected—and very child-centered," said school board President Eileen Baecher. "We felt that what drives his decision-making—more than any of the other candidates—is what's best for the students."

Montesano currently serves as superintendent in the Ramsey School District in New Jersey, where he was recently named superintendent of the year. 

According to Baecher, Montesano was offered the position in Hastings last year—but he turned it down.

"My understanding is that his decision to accept our offer this time had to do with changes to his retirement agreement at his current district," she said. "The contract we offered did not change since last spring."

If voted in on Monday, Montesano will begin on July 1, 2012, earning a base annual salary of $235,000. It is a five-year contract. 

Montesano was a science teacher before transitioning into an administrative role. For the last 12 years, he's been superintendent of schools in Westwood and Ramsey, New Jersey. Montesano earned his Masters Degree from Seaton Hall University and his PhD from Fordham. 

"We think he's intelligent, even-handed and all of his references describe him as 'approachable,'" Baecher said. 

Read the Board of Education's letter to the community announcing Montesano's likely appointment here. 

The Board of Education meeting begins at 8 p.m. on Monday, Jan 23. Montesano will be in attendance.