By Ed Birch, Special Writer
Raymond Tucholski, an employee of the district for more than 35 years and current principal at Crossroads South Middle School, has announced his plans to retire at the end of July.
The Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to accept his retirement.
Mr. Tucholski has served Crossroads South in his tenure as a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal and, for the past three years, as principal at the school.
Superintendent Dr. Gary McCartney called Mr. Tucholski the ultimate professional in the district.
”No one in more dedicated and works harder than Ray Tucholski,” Dr. McCartney said at this week’s board meeting.
Dr. McCartney joked the board should have taken his line item off the agenda to be voted on or vetoed to prevent Mr. Tucholski from leaving the district.
In reflecting on his decision to retire, Mr. Tucholski said, “It was time to go.”
After the meeting, he said, “This is the perfect job, and I love to do everything that the job and district requires. Crossroads South is like my second home. I really consider it an honor to have served the children and parents of this district. I am really leaving with many fond memories of all the years that I have spent in the school.”
Mr. Tucholski said he plans to search for what ways he can give back to the district for the support and opportunity South Brunswick has given him over the years.
Assistant Superintendent Joanne Kerkes called Mr. Tucholski one of the “anchors” of the district. She said there is not a project that was given to Mr. Tucholski over the years that he did not complete, and she also talked about the pride she said he takes in every task given to him.
Mr. Tucholski was given the assignment of principal at the middle school soon after Dr. James Warfel was appointed director of student services in the district three years ago.
Mr. Warfel described Mr. Tucholski as “the ultimate professional.”
”Ray has long been the cornerstone of the middle school. He fully understood how to be a successful teacher and administrator,” Mr. Warfel said. “He has long been the perfect advocate for teenagers in his building and was a terrific assistant principal. He knew how to maintain discipline and how to get the school to run orderly. There could not be a better way that Ray could have closed out his career.”
Mr. Tucholski said he has no specific immediate plans when he leaves the district in July except to spend time with his family and to possibly challenge Tiger Woods on the golf course.

