The purpose of this letter is to inform all the parents of children who attend the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional Schools that our Board of Education will be voting on a proposal to transfer all of our children’s school principals out of their current positions and into other schools in the district. This vote is scheduled for Dec. 19. I am writing to ask all of the parents to go out to this meeting and let our school board know how disruptive and counterproductive we believe this arbitrary action will be.
Currently our board has many tasks that must be accomplished. They must find a new principal for the Pine Brook School and the new Wemrock Brook School. They also have to staff and furnish the new school. They are responsible for a new security system that was installed in May in our schools but has yet to become operational. Our superintendent has announced that he is planning to retire and a succession plan is needed. In addition, the board has yet to finalize the teachers’ new contract. Must they rock the boat further by moving all of the principals to different schools at this time?
I am the mother of two grade-school children in this district and have been an active volunteer in the school system for the past nine years.
My children first attended Taylor Mills School with Ms. Jacobson as their principal. This dedicated woman makes it her business to learn all of the children’s names within the first few weeks of the school year. She is a hands-on principal who runs a very efficient school.
My son currently attends Lafayette Mills School, where probably the best team in the district work together. Mr. Garreau and Mr. Reid combine discipline with encouragement and understanding for all of the students at Lafayette Mills School. I am extremely proud to be the Lafayette Mills PTA President. Mr. Garreau has always been very helpful and insightful with his knowledge, and I have always felt appreciated here.
My daughter is in the eighth grade at the Manalapan English-town Middle School, where her principal, Mr. Sherman, has spent most of his professional life working with 12- and 13-year-olds.
He recently handled a situation in the school regarding drugs and reassured the students that he will continue to work hard to keep their school safe.
Having said all of this, I find myself wondering about two things: Why does the board want to move all of the principals at once? What knowledge does our board have about the daily operation of our schools to be able to make a decision that is in the best interests of our children? We, the parents who are actively involved in our children’s schools, need our voices to be heard.
Remember, we elect the school board and they need to listen to our thoughts on the issues that have an effect on our children. As this is the season of giving, we need to give something back to our principals for their hard work and dedication. They need our support and they need it now. Please try to attend the board meeting that is scheduled for Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., or write to our board members prior to the meeting to ask them not to transfer our principals.
Please act now before it is too late.
Dotty Porcaro
Manalapan