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HILLSBOROUGH: Eckstein selected as principal of Hillsborough Elementary School

By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Susan J. Eckstein, vice principal of Hillsborough Middle School, has been selected from among 90 applicants as the new principal of Hillsborough Elementary School, effective Jan. 1. Ms. Eckstein was approved unanimously at Monday night’s Board of Education meeting.
Her salary was put at $120,000 annually, subject to change after negotiations with the administrators’ bargaining group.
She succeeds Michael Volpe, who was hired in late October as the district-wide human resources director. He had been principal of the elementary school (grades kindergarten to 4) since January 2006. There are five elementary schools in the district.
She’ll be replaced for the moment at the middle school with Hal Blackstone, a retired school principal who has served the district in temporary jobs at the intermediate and Woodfern schools. He’ll be paid $428 per day.
Ms. Eckstein has been with township public schools since 2000. In 2008, she was named as vice principal at the middle school. Prior, she worked at Hillsborough High as a special education teacher and then a learning disabilities teacher consultant.
She began her career at the Alpha School, a school for special needs students ages 3 -21, in Jackson. Ms. Eckstein served as a special education teacher for elementary school-aged students.
"I am excited to be appointed to lead Hillsborough Elementary School," said Ms. Eckstein. "The entire school community has a real passion for creating a supportive learning environment for all. I look forward to getting to know the students, staff, and families."
Ms. Eckstein holds master’s degrees in educational leadership and special education from The College of New Jersey, and a bachelor of arts from Rutgers University. She also has a certificate in gifted education from Rutgers University.
"The interview committee met with many exceptional candidates during the search," said Jorden Schiff, Superintendent of Schools. "Susan stood out during this process. Her leadership experience and dedication to students of all abilities will be tremendous assets to maintaining the successes already achieved at HES and continuing to move the school forward."