FLORENCE A petition signed by township residents who oppose the transfer of current high school Principal Stephen Falcone to the Marcella L. Duffy Elementary School was presented to the Board of Education at its work session Monday night.
By:Vanessa S. Holt
As of July 1, Mr. Falcone will be principal of the Duffy school and the current Duffy principal, Bernard D’Emidio, will be made assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, a new position approved by the board this year.
The petition, presented by former board member James Carlani, includes signatures from more than 100 residents in support of keeping Mr. Falcone at the high school, where he has served as principal for six years.
In a news release, Mr. Carlani questioned the necessity of the transfers.
Superintendent Gerard Steffe said he had not seen the petition, which was delivered to board President Jaime Fauver.
Ms. Fauver said Tuesday she had not yet reviewed the petition. She remarked that the board was not involved in the decision to transfer the principals. The recommendation was made by the superintendent and approved by the board, she said.
Mr. Steffe said the decision to move the two administrators was intended to strengthen curriculum and leadership in the schools.
"Mr. Falcone was transferred for academic reasons to strengthen academic programs in the school district through the elementary school," said Mr. Steffe.
"It was the logical thing to do, to strengthen the curriculum in the district," said Mr. Steffe.
Mr. Steffe said there would be a greater emphasis in the elementary schools on preparing fourth- and fifth-grade students for the transition into middle school and said he believed that Mr. Falcone’s strengths in areas such as technology would benefit the school.
As assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, Mr. D’Emidio will manage curriculum development in the district.
He was chosen because of his strong background in that area, said the superintendent.
Mr. D’Emidio also will be in charge of a new program designed to mentor new teachers in the district.
"All I’m concerned about is that what we did is successful," said Mr. Steffe of the transfer.
A search for a new high school principal will begin immediately, said Mr. Steffe.
