Not only was Robin Kulwin elected school board president on Thursday evening, but Dr. Clarence C. Hoover also was named interim superintendent of the Montclair Public Schools, effective July 1.

The current superintendent, Dr. Frank Alvarez, announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down next month after nine years on the job.

It was previously announced that long-time educator Dr. Barbara Strobert would assume the role but, due to unforeseen circumstances, she could not come to the district, school district officials said today.

A resident of Montclair, Hoover recently served as the interim assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. Prior to that, he was the superintendent of the East Orange Public Schools, Essex County’s second largest district.

Hoover recently received the Distinguished Educator Award at the New Jersey NAACP Annual Conference. Hoover was acknowledged for his contributions in the field of education, both as a Superintendent of Schools and immediate past Chairperson of the Stockton College of New Jersey Board of Trustees, and for continuing to provide leadership and mentoring to students, teachers and administrators.

Hoover “officially” retired after 40 years in the field of education, but assumed the role of interim assistant superintendent for the Montclair Public Schools in 2010. Previously, he served as superintendent of schools in East Orange and Vineland.

Meanwhile, Alvarez will not retire, but will replace long-time district superintendent Edward Shine in the Rye City School District.

Only a few years ago, the Montclair Board of Education announced that it had approved a new five-year contract for Alvarez that extended from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2014.

That contract called for Alvarez to remain at a salary of $216,083 for two years.

Former School Board President Shelly Lombard recently said that it would be virtually impossible to hire someone on a permanent basis to replace Alvarez by July 1 since most candidates must give a 60-day notice to their current districts.

She said it's more important to get the right person than it is to get someone fast.

Lombard said the goal is to hire someone on a permanent basis by September 1, 2012.