JAMESBURG: Board picks leaders for schools

By Jenine Clancy, Special Writer
JAMESBURG — Board of Education selected new principals for the middle school and elementary school, despite some hesitation.
Midway through the July 24 meeting, and after an executive session, a principal at John F. Kennedy Elementary was still not picked. However from that same private session, the board was able to choose Chad Donahue, from the Mount Olive school district, as the new Grace M. Breckwedel Middle School principal, taking over for Al Perno.
Some members of the board felt the process was being rushed and they wanted a chance to review resumes more.
Dr. Gail Verona had held a dual position as both superintendent and principal at JFK. However, when new Superintendent Brian Betze was chosen last month, the board decided to separate the principal position.
Teachers spoke during public comment to voice their frustrations and worries.
"I know teachers are looking forward to the new school year and we want to start off on the right foot," one teacher said at the meeting. "Especially with those younger students. It’s nice to come in and see everyone on the same page, parents and students alike. We don’t want to start the school year without a new principal."
"Summer is a very busy time, there is a lot to be done," said Dara Valiant, executive secretary to the principal of JFK. "I am very concerned and am sitting waiting for a new principal to come in, sitting with a pile of papers sitting there waiting to be signed. What is our bulletin board going to look like?"
"Please do this for the children, I really am concerned. This is elementary, it’s supposed to be fun and exciting," Mrs. Valiant added.
A second executive session was then called and after some deliberation, the board selected Pamela Hernandez from Lawrenceville as the new principal.
According to Superintendent Betze, the new principals came from his recommendation, and that they both were part of the committee process.
"They both are exceptional instructional leaders," Mr. Betze said.
According to Mr. Betze, Mr. Donahue sits on the state PARCC committee and Ms. Hernandez is a bi-lingual teacher, which Mr. Betze says wlll be great for Jamesburg’s rising Hispanic population.
According to her LinkedIn site, Ms. Hernandez has been the principal for the past two years of Lalor Elementary School in the Lawrence Township school district in Mercer County.
According to Mr. Donahue’s LinkedIn site, he has been instructional supervisor at Mountain View School, an elementary school in the Mount Olive district, for the past year after spending 11 years in the Elizabeth school district.
Both principals are set to start Aug 1.