By: Nicole Taylor
WEST AMWELL – South Hunterdon High School students will enter the new school year with a new superintendent and principal at the helm.
Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Simone said dealing with space issues and improving upon existing programs would be addressed in the upcoming months.
"I am looking forward to the challenge of the new school year," she said. "The principal and I have been working all summer to ensure that we have the same philosophy on curriculum and instruction."
Dr. Simone said enrollment was 379 at last count.
"We have used the building almost to capacity," she said. "We’ve been working very hard with facilities to look at increasing space to provide more up to date programs."
The school’s agricultural science program soon will have an added element.
"We are adding a greenhouse component, working with hydroponics – growing things with air and water," Dr. Simone said.
The school has specifications for the greenhouse and also has received a grant, she said.
"We will begin construction in the fall," she said. "By the beginning of (next) September, we should have a greenhouse."
The greenhouse is being added to enrich the current curriculum.
"Our program in agricultural science was much more focused on animals," Dr. Simone said. "We wanted to add another dimension of agriculture."
Other areas of study will be further developed as well.
"We need to really focus on curriculum development," she said. "We’ll develop the implementation of the strategic plan, which includes curriculum, personnel issues, facilities, renovation and developing partnerships with businesses to provide internships."
In addition to the new principal, Harry Bell, at least five new teachers will be teaching at the high school when it opens on Sept. 6.
"We have two new science teachers – Jacqueline Kelly and Scott Ward," Dr. Simone said.
Ms. Kelly, who received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from The College of New Jersey, has several years of teaching experience working at Lawrence public schools and Monroe township at the middle and high school levels, Dr. Simone said.
Mr. Ward, who will double as the baseball coach, received his master’s degree in natural resources, land, water and air from the University of Connecticut and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.
The school also has hired a new math teacher, Lynn Walker, who received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and secondary education from The College of New Jersey, Dr. Simone said. The newly hired English teacher, Susan Laird, earned her master’s degree from The College of New Jersey in English and her undergraduate degree from Lockhaven University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Simone said the school also will hire another English teacher and has several new aide positions.
