Plumsted principal pick prompts positive parent pandemonium

By Jessica Ercolino, Staff Writer
   PLUMSTED — Whooping cheers welcomed New Egypt High School’s new principal last week.
   The Board of Education unanimously appointed Thomas Farrell on Oct. 22 to the permanent principal position at the high school. He is currently serving as assistant principal of New Egypt Middle School.
   When Superintendent Mark DeMareo made the announcement, applause erupted and Mr. Farrell was met with a standing ovation from attending parents, teachers, staff and students.
   The new principal said he was flattered by the reaction.
   ”I’m honored,” he said. “It shows that everyone is in support and that’s really important for a leader.”
   Mr. Farrell, who has also been the head coach for the high school’s varsity football team since 2002, said he is excited about the challenge.
   ”The Plumsted Township community and New Egypt High School afford any administrator a venue to succeed,” he said. “The school district offers you a family-like atmosphere with incredible staff and a recognized vested interest by parents in quality education programs.”
   Mr. Farrell is in his seventh year with the Plumsted School District. He spent his first three years as a business education teacher at the high school before taking the assistant principal position at NEMS. He also served as the districtwide director of technology and communications during the 2006-07 school year, and is currently an adjunct professor of business at Ocean County College. Mr. Farrell will earn a prorated salary of $104,000.
   Board of Education President Joanna Barlow congratulated the new principal during the Oct. 22 meeting.
   ”We are very excited to be able to promote within the district,” she said. “We wish you a long and prosperous career in the high school.”
   Interim NEHS Principal Elizabeth Pannella, who filled the principal vacancy in 2007 when then-Principal Richard Caldes resigned, thanked the board for the “fine appointment” of Mr. Farrell.
   ”You are inheriting the best staff that I’ve ever worked with,” she said to her successor. “I know it’s going to be a promising future for the high school under his leadership.”
   Several parents and the rest of the board congratulated Mr. Farrell, adding their appreciation for the superintendent’s work on filling the vacancy.
   ”I want to extend my compliments to Dr. DeMareo for the way he conducted the interviews and his involvement with the community and the board,” said board member Harry Miller, adding that the lines of communication were kept open even as the “zero hour” of making the appointment approached.
   A screening committee consisting of administrators, staff, parents and students was established in September to whittle the original candidate pool of 59 to 13. The committee conducted interviews, screened responses to a comprehensive questionnaire and submitted their comments on the candidates.
   Mr. Farrell will begin at the high school once his assistant principal position at the middle school is filled, which will likely take at least two months, Dr. DeMareo said. The position will be advertised and he, the middle school principal and the Board of Education will review the candidates. If the candidate is from outside the New Egypt School District, the superintendent said, the new assistant principal would need to give his or her district 60 days notice.