New teachers, a new principal at Woodfern School and a vice principal at Auten Road Intermediate School were hired at the June 20 Board of Education meeting.
Joseph (Jay) Majka was appointed to replace Anthony Caparoso, who served three years as principal of Woodfern Elementary School, effective July 1.
Mr. Majka has served as a vice principal at Hillsborough High School since 2009. Mr. Majka, who first taught eighth grade social studies, is a former Marine and an attorney who said he “wished to give back to the community” and chose a career in teaching.
He attended Rutgers University and earned a bachelor of arts in history with honors and Seton Hall University School of Law, earning his juris doctorate.
Christine Smith was chosen for the position of vice principal at Auten Road Intermediate School, replacing Karen Coviello, who retired.
Mrs. Smith has taught in the Montgomery Township School District since 1998 as both an elementary and academic support teacher. In addition to her 13 years of teaching, Mrs. Smith was honored as teacher of the year in Montgomery Township.
She also worked with Princeton University’s Teacher Preparation Program, the state Department of Education’s Elementary Standards Committee and Rider University’s SELECT Virtual Learning Community.
Mrs. Smith attended Rutgers University and earned a bachelor of arts in psychology, and went to Rutgers Graduate School of Education’s five-year teacher certification program to gain her master’s degree in elementary education.
Superintendent Jorden Schiff said, “We are excited to have Mr. Majka and Mrs. Smith join our leadership team.”
Mr. Majka and Mrs. Smith, along with their families, were introduced at the June 20 school board meeting.
On the teaching staff, the board made these hires, all effective Sept. 1, at the noted salaries:
• Marc Angelone as a music teacher at Auten Road Intermediate School, replacing Kelly Gorel, who resigned, at a salary of $62,565.
• Lauren Ayers, half-time kindergarten teacher at Hillsborough Elementary, due to an enrollment increase, at a prorated salary of $53,345 a year.
• Ashley Davey, grade 4 at Amsterdam School, replacing Bethany Bossier and caused by an enrolment increase. $51,245.
• Lindsay Guzman, grade 1 at Amsterdam School, replacing Jill Hannum, who transferred in district. $51,745.
• Michelle Klink, grade 2 at Sunnymead School, replacing Karin Benton, who retired. $55,445.
• Sandra Leloia, ASI-literary at Auten Road, replacing Brenda Linton, who retired. $56,445.
• Kara McKenna, grade 3 at Hillsborough Elementary, replacing Maureen Danovsky, who transferred in district, $51,245;
• Jessica Newell, grade 4 at Amsterdam School, replacing Mona Desai, who resigned. $53,645.
• Dina Veltri, grade 8 literacy at the middle school, replacing Krista Zygmunt, who resigned. $53,645.
• Elizabeth Verbeyst, grade 4 at Amsterdam, in new position bought on by growth, $51,245.
The board accepted the resignation of Marie Lo, a music teacher at the middle school, who had been with the district for six years, as well as Woods Road School lunch aide Francesca Thielke, an employee for 11 years.
