The Somerset County Association of School Administrators named Watchung Hills Regional Superintendent Frances Stromsland the county's Superintendent of the Year, WHRHS Board of Education President Robert Horowitz announced at Monday's board meeting.

The honor is the first step in a process that could lead to Dr. Stromsland being named New Jersey's superintendent of the year for 2013 at the New Jersey Association of School Administrators conference in May, 2013.

"We look at service to the bigger association, service within our group," Marilyn Birnbaum, superintendent of schools in North Plainfield and president of the county association, said. "(We look at) Your dedication to your students and your staff.

"Are you doing your job and doing it well," she added.

Dr. Birnbaum said school achievement is also a consideration.

The state association has divided the state into three zones for the superintendent of the year program; Somerset is in the central region with Union and Middlesex counties.

"She's in the earlier group and from there she enters the competition for Central Jersey," Dr. Birnbaum said.

Selection for the regional superintendent award is made at the association's fall conference.  

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