Indian Fields names new principal.
By: Melissa Hayes
Applause from the school board, faculty, staff and community members welcomed newly approved Indian Fields School Principal Andrea Orlando to the podium Monday night.
Ms. Orlando was selected by the Indian Fields search committee to replace the current principal, Ray Ivey, who is retiring Dec. 31.
She was unanimously approved by the school board Monday night.
"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the South Brunswick community," she said. "I don’t think I can fill Ray’s shoes, but I think I can bring a few things to the school."
Ms. Orlando spoke about the high standards the school district sets.
"I know that this is a district that deserves excellence, so I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work," she said.
This will not be Ms. Orlando’s first time working in the district. Before moving onto her current role as principal of Bartle Elementary School in Highland Park, she worked in South Brunswick as supervisor of the then-Upper Elementary School, now Crossroads North Middle School. Ms. Orlando also served as a district staff developer and was a teacher at Indian Fields and Constable schools.
After leaving the township she served as principal of Joseph C. Caruso Elementary School in Keansburg before she made her move to Highland Park.
Ms. Orlando received her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York. She has a master’s degree in education from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in education and human services from Rider University.
Many school board members were excited to have her back in the district.
Board member Harry Delgado said it was nice to see a familiar face and that if anyone was cut out for the job it was Ms. Orlando.
"Filling Ray Ivey’s shoes is very difficult, he has so much energy," he said. "If there’s someone who can match it, it’s definitely Andrea."
Board member Matthew Speesler said the candidate pool was very competitive for this position. He said the review committee, which consisted of parents, teachers and administrators, conducted three rounds of interviews before making its final decision.
The search began in September when Mr. Ivey announced his retirement.
Mr. Ivey said he is retiring so that he can spend more time with his family and dedicate his efforts to Freedom School, an educational summer program which focuses on African and African-American history. The program is sponsored by Save the Children, a nationwide child advocacy program and currently runs out of South Brunswick. Upon his retirement Mr. Ivey hopes to expand the summer program to include schools across the state.
Ms. Orlando will begin her new position on Jan. 18, unless she is able to leave her current position sooner. She was hired at a salary of $107,500.