Principal tapped for WW-P assistant superintendent

Grover Middle School’s Steven Mayer to replace Victoria Kniewal

By: Greg Forester
   WEST WINDSOR — After being tabbed as the replacement for retiring Superintendent Robert Loretan, Victoria Kniewal left a vacancy at her old position, and the Board of Education moved to fill that hole last week.
   Grover Middle School Principal Steven Mayer was named the new assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction last week following nine years of service at the middle school.
   School board members said he is a great candidate for an important position that just recently was the position of their new superintendent.
   "The school board is very happy with the appointment and it completes a very strong central office team," said board President Hemant Marathe. "This appointment will allow us to build on the legacy Dr. Loretan built over the last few years."
   Mr. Mayer had been the first principal for Grover Middle School, occupying the position since the school’s opening in 1999.
   Board officials cited Mr. Mayer’s work there as the new principal of a new school in a high-achieving district as exemplary.
   "He has done a great job at Grover and he has a good reputation with the administration and the Board of Education," said Vice President Robert Johnson.
   Mr. Mayer will taking over the position vacated by new Superintendent Victoria Kniewal, who was appointed following the retirement of Dr. Loretan.
   Board President Marathe said Mr. Mayer had done great work on such difficult subjects as the middle school’s class schedule that showed his value as a member of the central office.
   "He has shown a leadership skill, especially in working with his teachers, and he has been a leader in both the curriculum and managing Grover Middle School as a whole," said Mr. Marathe.
   Board officials said they had not yet had any discussions for a replacement at the middle school.
   There are still two assistant principals serving there and Mr. Mayer will be staying on as the head principal until the end of July, so board officials said they have plenty of time to fill the position.
   "We’ll be discussing filling the position at Wednesday’s board meeting," said Mr. Johnson.
   Board members said they didn’t want the assistant superintendent position to remain open for a long time, because it serves an important function within the West Windsor-Plainsboro district.
   The school board will be discussing other personnel matters at Wednesday’s meeting, to be held at 7:30 p.m. in the conference room at the central offices at 505 Village Road West.