BY VINCENT TODARO
Staff Writer
JEFF GRANIT staff New Frost School Principal Lynne Meara walks along Overhill Road with Margaret Della Torre and children Elana, 6, and James, 5, during one of several tours Meara took of surrounding neighborhoods yesterday to get acquainted. EAST BRUNSWICK – New principals will be at the helm of two of the township’s schools when the first day of classes arrives Sept. 11.
The Board of Education has appointed Michael Gaskell as principal at Hammarskjold Middle School, while Lynne Meara was named to the same post at Frost Elementary School.
Gaskell succeeds JoAnn Susko, who served as principal at Hammarskjold for 18 years until her retirement in June; Meara replaces Patricia Wright, who resigned after accepting the position of superintendent and principal in Spring Lake, Monmouth County.
Both Gaskell and Meara have prior experience as school principals in other districts.
Gaskell has spent the past 10 years as a middle school teacher and administrator in the Paramus Public School District. Meara is a former principal with the New Egypt public schools.
JEFF GRANIT staff Amanda Russo, 7, greets her new principal, Lynne Meara, in front of the pajama-clad youngster’s house yesterday morning. The school year begins Monday. Thanks to the respective PTAs, events were being scheduled for the public to meet with the principals.
Gaskell will introduce himself to the school community by holding a “Meet the Principal Night” on Sept. 14. The 7 p.m. event will be held at the Hammarskjold school, 200 Rues Lane.
Meara was to host a “New Principal’s Tea” earlier this week at the Frost school, 65 Frost Ave. Also, to familiarize herself with parents and children, Meara recruited Frost students to take her on walking tours of their neighborhoods yesterday.
Meara holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Gwynedd-Mercy College, Gwynedd Valley, Pa., as well as a master’s degree in elementary education leadership from the College of New Jersey. She also has a master’s degree in educational administration from Rider University, Lawrenceville.
Gaskell earned a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Pennsylvania State University, a master’s degree in special education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, Pa., and a master’s degree in administration from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.
Gaskell said Hammarskjold School is going through tremendous change both in terms of construction and with the administrative change. He said he sees the changes as an opportunity to make the school safer and to maximize the learning ability of students.
He also said the school needs to improve some of its test scores, which is an ongoing effort, and he wants to work on character development, not only for students but the staff and community as well.
The school year has a later start this year due to construction taking place at Hammarskjold and the Central and Lawrence Brook elementary schools.
Several other administrative positions changed hands recently as well in East Brunswick:
+ Debra Gulick, who previously served as department chairwoman for mathematics and then as supervisor of staff development, testing and grants, will be the new supervisor of mathematics and basic skills. The position, serving kindergarten through 12th grade, was previously held by Christopher Herte.
The Board of Education was expected last night to render a decision on a new supervisor of staff development, testing and grants.
+ Anthony Gugliotta is the new department chairman for mathematics. He has prior experience as a supervisor of mathematics and science, officials said, and comes to East Brunswick from the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School District.
+ Nicole McNamara will serve as supervisor of elementary special education. She previously worked as a special education teacher and a learning disabilities teacher consultant in the Toms River Regional School District.