FLEMINGTON, NJ — The Hunterdon County Vocational School District (HCVSD) is proud to announce that Dr. Todd Bonsall, Superintendent of Schools, has been selected by his fellow superintendents as the 2026 Hunterdon County Superintendent of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes exemplary leadership, innovation, and dedication to advancing educational opportunities for students throughout Hunterdon County and the State of New Jersey.
Dr. Bonsall has served as Superintendent of the Hunterdon County Vocational School District since 2019 and has dedicated more than 25 years to educational leadership and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Throughout his distinguished career, he has remained committed to expanding student opportunities, strengthening workforce development partnerships, and ensuring that all students have access to high-quality career and technical educational pathways that lead to successful futures.
Dr. Bonsall’s professional journey is uniquely rooted in service. Before entering education, he owned and operated a successful chiropractic practice in South Jersey for more than a decade. Reflecting on his career path, Dr. Bonsall often notes that he transitioned from hands-on medicine to hands-on education, exchanging the opportunity to improve individual lives through healthcare for the opportunity to impact generations of young professionals through education. His uncommon background has shaped a leadership philosophy centered on service, relationships, continuous improvement, and helping others reach their full potential.
Under Dr. Bonsall’s leadership, HCVSD has experienced unprecedented growth and transformation. Student enrollment has more than doubled, increasing from approximately 450 students to over 950 students in just seven years. His vision and leadership guided the planning, funding, and opening of the District’s new 36,000-square-foot North Campus, as well as the expansion and renovation of the Polytech Central Campus, allowing the District to eliminate reliance on leased facilities and better serve students across the county.
The state-of-the-art North Campus, located on the grounds of North Hunterdon High School, stands as a testament to the power of educational collaboration. Made possible through an innovative partnership between the Hunterdon County Vocational School District and the North Hunterdon-Voorhees Regional High School District, the project utilized a unique model in which NHV leased the land for the new facility and provides academic teachers and support staff through a shared services agreement. This forward-thinking partnership has created unprecedented opportunities for students throughout Hunterdon County, enabling them to pursue a full-time Career and Technical Education program beginning in ninth grade while receiving a comprehensive academic experience that prepares them for college, careers, and life.
Nearly 75% of the funding for HCVSD-North was made possible by the state’s 2018 Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act. When the Bond Act funding became available, Dr. Bonsall led the development of a grant proposal that demonstrated the need for new and expanded career programs to meet workforce needs and opportunities for economic growth, specifically in Hunterdon County. He collaborated on the proposal with the Hunterdon County Board of Commissioners, which provided the remaining funding needed for the project. Such collaboration ensures that CTE directly supports the workforce pipeline critical for Hunterdon County’s long-term economic success.
“Dr. Bonsall’s leadership has been transformative for Hunterdon County Polytech,” said Commissioner Director John E. Lanza. “The District’s tremendous growth, including the expansion from approximately 450 to more than 950 students and the opening of the North Campus, reflects his commitment to creating new opportunities for students and strengthening workforce development throughout Hunterdon County.”
Commissioner Zach Rich, who serves as liaison to Hunterdon County Polytech, added: “The North Campus is a testament to Dr. Bonsall’s vision and the power of collaboration, His leadership helped create a model that allows students to pursue high-quality career and technical education while receiving a strong academic foundation, positioning them for success in college, careers and life.”
“Being selected by my fellow superintendents is truly humbling,” said Dr. Bonsall. “This recognition reflects the collective efforts of our Board of Education, administrators, faculty, staff, students, parents, business partners, and community stakeholders. Together, we have built innovative programs that prepare students for meaningful careers while strengthening the economic future of Hunterdon County.”
A champion of educational innovation, Dr. Bonsall has led the expansion of full-time Career and Technical Education programs beginning in ninth grade, providing students with opportunities to earn industry credentials, college credits, and valuable work-based learning experiences. He has also forged transformative partnerships with local school districts, including the creation of the Hunterdon County School of Performing Arts in partnership with the South Hunterdon Regional School District and the development of new career pathways aligned with regional workforce needs.
Throughout his career, Dr. Bonsall has been recognized as a state and national leader in Career and Technical Education. He serves on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Council of County Vocational-Technical Schools and has mentored aspiring educational leaders throughout the state. Additionally, he also serves on the Boards of the Greater Raritan Workforce Development Board; Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce Board; and the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission BOE. His numerous honors include the National SkillsUSA Outstanding School Leader Award, the 2026 New Jersey FCCLA Administrator of the Year Award, and recognition as an Honorary Member of FFA.
Dr. Bonsall has also built strong partnerships with county government, local businesses, trade unions, workforce development organizations, and civic groups to ensure that educational programs remain aligned with the needs of students, employers, and the broader community. Through these collaborations, HCVSD has expanded opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing, Welding, HVAC/Plumbing, Electrical Technology, Diesel Technology, Animal Science, and Healthcare, among many others.
Board of Education President Elizabeth Martin praised Dr. Bonsall’s leadership, stating, “Dr. Bonsall has transformed Career and Technical Education in Hunterdon County. His vision, commitment to students, and ability to bring people together around a common purpose have created opportunities that will benefit generations of young professionals. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition.”
The Hunterdon County Superintendent of the Year award recognizes educational leaders who demonstrate outstanding leadership for learning, effective communication, professionalism, and meaningful community engagement. Dr. Bonsall’s selection reflects the profound impact he has made on students, families, educators, and the broader Hunterdon County community.
As he continues to lead the District through a period of growth and innovation, Dr. Bonsall remains focused on preparing students for success in college, careers, and life while ensuring that Career and Technical Education remains a driving force in the county’s economic and workforce development efforts.
About Hunterdon County Vocational School District
The Hunterdon County Vocational School District provides innovative Career and Technical Education programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, and high-demand careers. Through partnerships with business, industry, higher education, and community organizations, HCVSD offers students rigorous academic instruction, hands-on technical training, industry credentials, and real-world learning experiences that support lifelong success.
Hunterdon County Vocational School District provided the information above in a news release distributed June 24, 2026.
