By Frank Mustac, Special Writer
HOPEWELL TWP. — After originally announcing he would retire at end of December, Principal Michael Daher has changed his mind and will stay on as Hopewell Valley Central High School’s head administrator to see the Class of 2016 graduate.
“After recently meeting with student council officers and various staff and students, I have come to the realization that leaving our district mid-year is not what is best for the high school or our students at this time,” Mr. Daher wrote in a letter dated Dec. 7 to the school community.
The change in plan, he said, will give Hopewell Valley Regional district officials the time to find a new principal and “create a smooth transition.”
“I apologize to our staff, families and especially our students if I have created any undue stress with the timing of my recent announcement,” Mr. Daher said in the letter. “I assure you that I am as committed as ever to offer the best possible learning opportunities for our students.”
“I am now looking forward to the rest of the school year and especially supporting our senior class through their graduation day,” he said.
Superintendent Thomas Smith, who granted permission to the principal to continue, said “Mr. Daher is an outstanding principal who has spent the past 10 years leading Central High School to great success, while always putting students at the forefront of his decisions. I appreciate that he has reconsidered leaving mid-year and will finish out the rest of the school year. The revised timeline . . . negates the need for an interim principal.”
Although the timeline has changed, the superintendent said, the process to find a replacement will continue as planned.
From March 15-30, 2016, the high school principal position will be advertised locally and nationally. During the same time period, two meetings will be held at the high school to receive community feedback regarding the preferred qualities of the next principal.
From April 1-15, a committee consisting of parents, students, staff and administration will be selected to interview potential candidates. Parents expressing interest in serving on the committee will be chosen at random, Dr. Smith said, adding that details about the committee selection process will be shared in the early spring.
From April 15 to May 15, candidates for the principal job will be interviewed with possible site visits for finalists. On May 15, a finalist will be recommended to the board of education, and the new principal will start on or about July 1.
“I will provide additional updates as the search progresses,” the superintendent said.
Lisa Wolff, president of the Board of Education, praised Principal Daher for his decade of service at the high school’s helm.
“Mr. Daher was responsible for bringing in the new rotating drop schedule that has been very well received and is more conducive for student learning and engagement,” Ms. Wolff said. “He has really made the high school very welcoming for students.”
“I am really glad that he stayed on through the end of the year,” she said. “It is better for the students, staff and taxpayers that we will not need to bring in an interim principal.”
“The seniors are (also) very happy that he will be there for graduation,” the board president said.
Prior to coming to Hopewell Valley Central High School, Mr. Daher was principal for about seven years in Willow Grove, Pa., at Upper Moreland High School. He began his career in education some 41 years ago as a math teacher at Chatham Middle School in Morris County.
“I have enjoyed every year that I have spent as a public school employee, but my years in Hopewell have been the most special to me,” Principal Daher said. “There is a very special place and it is because of the students.”
