By carolyn o’connell
Staff Writer
OCEANPORT — Oceanport will start off the new school year with a new administrator who will fill a dual role as superintendent of schools and principal of Wolf Hill Elementary School.
James DeGiovanna, 51, of Lanoka Harbor, was hired during the summer after an exhaustive search by the Board of Education. The search considered more than 50 candidates for the position.
DeGiovanna will replace John Tavis, who served as principal and later as superintendent of schools. Tavis served the district for 12 years.
Tavis will step down officially on Sept. 3. He spent the summer working with DeGiovanna on familiarizing the new superintendent with the 840-student district.
DeGiovanna was also able to spend time at Wolf Hill School before the school year ended.
"I was impressed with this small community and how supportive they are of education," said DeGiovanna. "The school board has passed 28 straight school budgets. That shows how proud and committed the community is to the educational process."
As superintendent, DeGiovanna will serve as an educational leader for the district and will work hand-in-hand with board members, school staff and faculty.
As principal, DeGiovanna will oversee day-to-day operations of the elementary school building and its staff.
"I am very excited about the combined role as principal and superintendent," said DeGiovanna. "Remaining as a principal keeps you active with the staff and the children. It isn’t administrative only."
DeGiovanna began his teaching career in the Belleville public school system. In addition to teaching, he also coached baseball and basketball at the high school level.
He taught for five years at Memorial School in Eatontown before accepting an administrative position in the Little Egg Harbor School District 13 years ago. He served in that district as vice principal and then principal of the intermediate school and then as director of curriculum for the district.
While in Little Egg Harbor, DeGiovanna served with Richard TenEyck, who is now the assistant state commissioner of education.
"He served as my mentor," DeGiovanna said. "He taught me about people and curriculum assessment."
He added, "Instruction should be driven by assessments. You assess what children can or cannot do and then you teach to that level. To be an effective listener is important."
DeGiovanna said he will be in assessment mode for the first 100 days of the school year and plans to meet with teachers and staff members during that time.