More than 75 people showed to ask the administration to keep HHS principal William Roesch.
By: David Pescatore
HIGHTSTOWN A rumor that the East Windsor Regional School District’s central administration has recommended that Hightstown High School Principal William Roesch not be rehired for next year motivated more than 75 faculty and staff members to attend Monday’s school board meeting to show their support for their leader.
"I have worked with a lot of principals in my 27 years as a teacher. None have had more of a positive impact than Mr. Roesch," said Terri Tuliszewski, who serves as the high school’s teachers union representative. "He has increased morale and made this a better place to learn and to work. I hope he is given the opportunity to continue his plan," she said, the last portion drowned by a flood of applause.
Although no one could say where the rumor started, Ms. Tuliszewski explained this week that this is the time of year when central administration comprised of Interim Chief School Administrator James Sheerin, Business Administrator David Shafter, two assistant superintendents and seven other members evaluates non-tenured staff and makes a recommendation on their continued employment. The school board makes the final decision on staffing.
Neither Mr. Sheerin nor Board of Education President Bruce Ettman would comment on the situation.
"Personnel issues can not be addressed publicly," Mr. Ettman said.
Mr. Roesch, who was not at the meeting, also declined to comment.
Chuck Pesce, special education coordinator, said during the public forum portion of the meeting, that he was "shocked and dismayed" at the prospect of the school losing another principal.
"There have been a number of changes over the last five or six years. Here, we have a principal who is interested in the job and who has the support of the staff."
Gerald Fabisch, HHS teacher and adviser of the aerospace club, compared Mr. Roesch’s leadership abilities to those he saw in the military.
"I spent 20 years in the military and 20 years at Hightstown High School. Mr. Roesch is a dynamo. He has a ‘get-the-job-done’ attitude. I worked under some great colonels and generals, and Mr. Roesch is up there with them."
Mr. Fabisch added that Mr. Roesch has "crossed verbal swords" with many people during his year and a half as HHS principal, but that he "always acted in the interest of the children."
Jack Dunn, who oversees social studies content, agreed.
"Mr. Roesch is always thinking about what’s in the best interest of the students.
"The improvements he has made are amazing. He has an open-door policy for everyone. You may not always agree with him, but you know that he is at least listening. I never saw an administrator care so much about our school."
Mary Brower, who has spent the last 11 years of her 20-year teaching career at HHS, said that she "was ready to leave East Windsor before Mr. Roesch came," because the district "was not looking forward."
Wilson Hernandez, a first-year (non-tenured) teacher at HHS had a more personal reason to support the principal.
"My kids will be here soon. I want them to be safe and learn. Mr. Roesch offers that."

