By Jennifer Kohlhepp, Staff Writer
MONTGOMERY — Montgomery High School Principal Paul Papodiuk said he’s losing his right hand, so to speak, in that former Vice Principal Damien Pappa "was stolen by the central office."
Mr. Pappa was approved as the school district’s director of data, assessment and accountability at the annual salary of $125,000 during the Board of Education’s meeting Tuesday night.
The primary functions of this position are to maintain the day-to-day operations of software programs district wide, train staff on use of such programs both on input of data as well as on how the aggregation and disaggregation of data can drive instructional practices, assist with hardware support, and manage integration of databases.
He will also coordinate the development and implementation of the Montgomery Township School District and state’s assessment program, and collect and report information about student academic achievement.
"I will miss him but I’m glad he’s still part of the district," Principal Papodiuk said. "It’s difficult to replace a right hand … but I think I found that person."
Keith Land was approved as interim vice principal at Montgomery High School at the rate of $400 per day during the board meeting. Mr. Land is coming out of a short retirement to take the job. He retired in 2013 after serving six years as principal of Colts Neck High School in the Freehold Regional School District. Prior to that, he served as vice principal in Burlington Township High School.
Mr. Land earned his teaching credentials in 1974 from what was then Glassboro State College and began teaching science at Williamstown High School. He completed the administrative leadership program in 1995 at Rowan University and began his administrative career at Collingswood High School.
"I’m thrilled for the opportunity and I look forward to the opportunity," Mr. Land said about the interim vice principal position.
Board Vice President Adelle B. Kirk-Csontos, who ran the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday night in the absence of President Arun Rimal, said, "Thank you for coming out of your short retirement."
Mr. Pappa began his career in education as a member of the Social Studies Department at North Plainfield High School, where he taught students Advanced Placement European History, U.S. History and World History and served as a class advisor, teacher mentor and supervisor of the Adult High School. Mr. Pappa served the students of Somerville High School as the supervisor of student affairs from 2008-10. Mr. Pappa arrived in Montgomery as vice principal in the 2010-11 school year.
In his tenure at Montgomery High School, Mr. Pappa has also supervised the World Languages, Visual Performing Arts, Business Technology, Health and Physical Education departments as well as oversaw all co-curricular clubs. He graduated from the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and earned a Masters Degree from Montclair State University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at the College of Saint Elizabeth.
