The new superintendent will lead a district that has plenty of issues simmering along on various burners.
In addition to introducing Louisa Ho to board operations as the interim replacement for Robert Johnson (see story below), the district will also have to find a replacement for longtime athletic director Marty Flynn, who has been named new head of the recreation department in Hamilton Township (see story, page 10).
Changes in technology are also being planned, including a proposal to have all sixth graders equipped with electronic devices by 2014.
At the April 30 meeting assistant superintendent Martin Smith gave a presentation — developed by a committee of parents, teachers, administrators, technology staff, and board members — that outlined the many technology advancements and additions coming to WW-P schools in the next three years. “The issue is not just about having new technology,” said Smith, “but to use devices throughout our education system as a tool for learning. Our four goals are reliability, access, equity, and support.
“By September, 2013, we will have a separate network for WW-P wireless; have projectors to project out all of the information in every classroom; redesign the K through 8 curricula so that all students have access throughout all curricula; and train teachers and staff not only about using the technology, but about safety and security.”
The full report can be found on the district website at www.ww-p.org. Some of the highlights include:
By September, 2013, institute a 1:1 pilot program in three to four 5th grade classrooms at Village and Millstone (meaning that each child in the classroom will have an electronic device);
By September, 2013, hire a technology teacher and add a technology class for all fourth graders;
By September, 2014, have a 1:1 program throughout the entire 6th grade level;
By September, 2014, provide training for parents of 1:1 students.
By September, 2014, hire a technology teacher and add a technology class for all fifth graders;
By September, 2015, include appropriate digital resources in all district curricula.
World Language Survey: Board member Richard Kaye reported the outcome of the world language survey filled out by parents a few weeks ago. “Over one-third of the parents want to see Hindi taught in the schools, and the next highest choice was Italian. Every other language scored less than 10 percent. In addition, 54 percent of parents would enroll their children in a dual-language immersion program if we offered it in this district. We will be looking into whether or not this would be feasible, and we will be adding Hindi as a language in the future.”
Personnel Changes: Penny Fisher was reassigned from supervisor of the K-5 curriculum and instruction to supervisor of K-5 language arts and ESL.
Caitlin Ellington and Patricia Middlemiss were reappointed as a High School North math teacher and a gym teacher, respectively, after being out on leave.
And the following people have resigned: Rebecca Bashian, special education teacher, after 21 years of service; Cynthia Mershon, literary resource specialist, after 26 years; Linda Morell, guidance counselor, after eight years; Maureen Noaman, French teacher, after 13 years; Nicole Roth, art teacher, after one and a half years; Toni Russo, IRLA teacher, after 17 years; Deborah Cohen, science teacher, after 14 years, JoAnn Quinlan, social worker, after 16 years; and Samantha Vasil, secretary to the principal, after 13 years.
