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PRESS RELEASE: Restructuring for Tomorrow
PRESS RELEASE: RESTRUCTURING FOR TOMORROW AT RIDGEFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
During these past several months, the Ridgefield School District has undergone a significant transformation among its leadership team in an effort to better support school programs and personnel. New Superintendent, Dr. Frank Romano proposed the following reorganization to the system in order to meet 1) the recent New Jersey State demands on schools and 2) the District’s local needs for improvement in the areas of Program and Instruction. The Board of Education unanimously endorsed these efforts in order to support curriculum, instruction, and assessment and provide a well articulated and a more consistent student experience. These changes require no additional funding, only some vision, careful planning, and reallocation of existing resources.
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
The plan began with the reinstatement of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction position to provide leadership, supervision, and coordination of the total educational program. This critical resource has been absent for over a decade. Filling the position is twenty-three-year veteran Janet Seabold. Ms. Seabold has served the District in a variety of capacities, including special education teacher, Supervisor of the Learning Center Program, Director of Special Services, and Slocum Skewes Assistant Principal and then Principal. Ms. Seabold has a track record of success, which most recently includes raising NJ ASK scores and taking Slocum Skewes out of the State’s School in Need of Improvement status, implementing the Reading and Writing Workshop Models, and expanding service to better serve struggling and advanced learners. Ms. Seabold has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the new state-required principal and teacher evaluation systems, visionary in her role as chairperson of the District Evaluation Advisory Committee, and generous with her commitment to such efforts as Technology, Referendum, and Curriculum Committees. It is only natural that this dedicated professional should want to progress to the next level of leadership and how lucky are all the Ridgefield Public Schools that she should serve them while overseeing all educational programs. Congratulations, Ms. Seabold!
SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUCTION – GENERAL EDUCATION
Following the reinstatement of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction came the creation of the Supervisor of Instruction to assist with providing leadership, supervision, support, and coordination of the instructional program throughout the District. Who better than our own Mr. Floro Villanueva to fill the role? Mr. Villanueva begins his fourteenth year as an educator, serving Ridgefield Schools for the past nine years as a math teacher. In August of 2013, he was promoted to Math Department Chair. In his time at Ridgefield, he has taught AP Statistics, Virtual High School: AP Statistics, Algebra, Geometry, PSAT Math, Math Skills, Personal Finance and Intermediate Algebra. In his seven years as AP Statistics teacher, his students achieved higher than the national average. He served for several years as Head Coach of the Girls Volleyball Team, recognized as 2011 North NJ Coach of the Year. Mr. Villanueva has served on the RMHS School Improvement Panel and PARCC Committee. His work on the State’s new Student Growth Objective requirements has been monumental. His experiences and skillsets make him a perfect addition to the leadership team and the right person for advancing our schools. Congratulations, Mr. Villanueva!
SLOCUM SKEWES PRINCIPAL
New to the District and the Slocum Skewes School is Mr. John Coviello. Subsequent to Ms. Seabold’s promotion and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board appointed Mr. Coviello to the position of Principal of Slocum Skewes. He comes to Ridgefield Public Schools with successful experience in the field of educational administration and the qualifications that spell successful growth into this new position. His academic studies, professional work experiences, certification work, and personal attributes will serve the faculty, staff, and students well. Mr. Coviello has Masters Degrees in the areas of educational leadership and special education. He is currently transitioning from an Assistant Principal position at Fort Lee High School, where he has served for the past four years. Prior to that, he worked at New Milford Public Schools as Director of Theatrical Programming from 2007 through 2010, Social Studies Teacher from September 2008 through June of 2010, and Special Education Teacher from September of 2004 through August of 2008. Congratulations and welcome, Mr. Coviello!
SUPERVISORS OF INSTRUCTION – LEARNING CENTERS
Prior to July of 2014, the District employed three Consociates. Three teachers served in roles more traditionally fulfilled by those in supervisory positions while never being formally employed in those capacities. In an effort to recognize them appropriately, enhance supervisory capacity, and better ensure quality instruction, the Board approved the Supervisor of Instruction job description and appointed Learning Center Consociates Dr. Laurie Densen, Mr. Steve Kahn, Mr. Peter Noonan to the newly titled and described positions.
Dr. Laurie Densen began her tenure in Ridgefield in July of 1994. She has served as Reading Specialist, Self-contained Classroom Teacher, Associate Teacher, Consociate, and now Supervisor of Instruction. Dr. Densen holds New Jersey certifications for Elementary Teacher, Reading Specialist, Teacher of the Handicapped, and Supervisor.
Mr. Steve Kahn began his tenure in Ridgefield in November of 1988. He has served the district as Special Education Teacher with an emphasis on Students with Behavioral Disabilities, Consociate, and now Supervisor of Instruction. He has served as Assistant Girls and Boys Basketball Coach and Head Girls Basketball Coach. Mr. Kahn holds New Jersey certifications for Teacher of the Handicapped, Nursery School, Student Personnel Services, and Supervisor.
Mr. Peter Noonan began his tenure in Ridgefield in September of 1988. Since then, he has served as Special Education Teacher (the Districts first Magnet Program Teacher), High School Guidance Counselor, School to Careers Counselor, Transitions Counselor, Ridgefield Advantage (over 21) Program Coordinator, Consociate, and now Supervisor of Instruction. He has also served as Student Council Advisor at the elementary level. Mr. Noonan holds New Jersey certifications for Teacher of the Handicapped and Supervisor.
All three of our recently appointed Supervisors of Instruction – Learning Center continue to be invaluable assets to Ridgefield Public Schools. They have been instrumental in the creation of highly successful programs for children. How lucky we’ve been to have them serve so willingly, caringly, and effectively in so many critical roles. Congratulations!
SUPERVISOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
To assist with long-range planning (e.g., strategic planning), database management, data analysis, personnel administration, development and maintenance of district policy and procedures, staff development planning and implementation, project management, grant writing, state reporting,
and public relations, the Superintendent recommended and the Board approved a change in job description and title from District Assistant to Supervisor of Special Projects. The resulting changes better define the existing scope of work, expand the scope of work, and categorize this position more appropriately as supervisory rather than teaching with a stipend, since it deals regularly with confidential matters. Currently serving in the position of District Assistant is Ms. Kara Doviak, who has been with Ridgefield Public Schools for nineteen years. She began as a Learning Center Social Worker in the 1995-96 school year. In 2001 she began her journey from School Social Worker to District Assistant. In 2002, she began acting as Transition Coordinator until 2011, when she became strictly District Assistant in a full-time capacity. Ms. Doviak is a dedicated professional who has served our schools flexibly and intelligently throughout her years in-district.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OPENING
The final step in the District’s reorganization will occur on January 1, 2015. The position of Supervisor of Instruction at Shaler Academy Schools will convert to Assistant Principal for Preschool and Primary Grades at Shaler Academy and Bergen Boulevard School. The conversion from supervisor to assistant principal will allow for greater flexibility in coverage of the two schools, while satisfying the States requirement of Principal Certification for building management. This change will allow for more flexible building coverage, more effective teacher support and evaluation, and more effective professional development coordination.
IN SUMMARY
The attached District Organizational Chart captures all of the aforesaid developments, as it places every district position in appropriate context and in relationship to one another. In addition to the details presented this document, several job descriptions have been rewritten in order to better define connections to work and expectations in the areas of Program and Instruction. Some have been board approved and some will go before the Board within the next several weeks. Ridgefield Public Schools are well positioned to support our parents and our professionals as together we work to provide exceptional growth opportunities for our children and adolescents.
During these past several months, the Ridgefield School District has undergone a significant transformation among its leadership team in an effort to better support school programs and personnel. New Superintendent, Dr. Frank Romano proposed the following reorganization to the system in order to meet 1) the recent New Jersey State demands on schools and 2) the District’s local needs for improvement in the areas of Program and Instruction. The Board of Education unanimously endorsed these efforts in order to support curriculum, instruction, and assessment and provide a well articulated and a more consistent student experience. These changes require no additional funding, only some vision, careful planning, and reallocation of existing resources.
DIRECTOR OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
The plan began with the reinstatement of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction position to provide leadership, supervision, and coordination of the total educational program. This critical resource has been absent for over a decade. Filling the position is twenty-three-year veteran Janet Seabold. Ms. Seabold has served the District in a variety of capacities, including special education teacher, Supervisor of the Learning Center Program, Director of Special Services, and Slocum Skewes Assistant Principal and then Principal. Ms. Seabold has a track record of success, which most recently includes raising NJ ASK scores and taking Slocum Skewes out of the State’s School in Need of Improvement status, implementing the Reading and Writing Workshop Models, and expanding service to better serve struggling and advanced learners. Ms. Seabold has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the new state-required principal and teacher evaluation systems, visionary in her role as chairperson of the District Evaluation Advisory Committee, and generous with her commitment to such efforts as Technology, Referendum, and Curriculum Committees. It is only natural that this dedicated professional should want to progress to the next level of leadership and how lucky are all the Ridgefield Public Schools that she should serve them while overseeing all educational programs. Congratulations, Ms. Seabold!
SUPERVISOR OF INSTRUCTION – GENERAL EDUCATION
Following the reinstatement of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction came the creation of the Supervisor of Instruction to assist with providing leadership, supervision, support, and coordination of the instructional program throughout the District. Who better than our own Mr. Floro Villanueva to fill the role? Mr. Villanueva begins his fourteenth year as an educator, serving Ridgefield Schools for the past nine years as a math teacher. In August of 2013, he was promoted to Math Department Chair. In his time at Ridgefield, he has taught AP Statistics, Virtual High School: AP Statistics, Algebra, Geometry, PSAT Math, Math Skills, Personal Finance and Intermediate Algebra. In his seven years as AP Statistics teacher, his students achieved higher than the national average. He served for several years as Head Coach of the Girls Volleyball Team, recognized as 2011 North NJ Coach of the Year. Mr. Villanueva has served on the RMHS School Improvement Panel and PARCC Committee. His work on the State’s new Student Growth Objective requirements has been monumental. His experiences and skillsets make him a perfect addition to the leadership team and the right person for advancing our schools. Congratulations, Mr. Villanueva!
SLOCUM SKEWES PRINCIPAL
New to the District and the Slocum Skewes School is Mr. John Coviello. Subsequent to Ms. Seabold’s promotion and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board appointed Mr. Coviello to the position of Principal of Slocum Skewes. He comes to Ridgefield Public Schools with successful experience in the field of educational administration and the qualifications that spell successful growth into this new position. His academic studies, professional work experiences, certification work, and personal attributes will serve the faculty, staff, and students well. Mr. Coviello has Masters Degrees in the areas of educational leadership and special education. He is currently transitioning from an Assistant Principal position at Fort Lee High School, where he has served for the past four years. Prior to that, he worked at New Milford Public Schools as Director of Theatrical Programming from 2007 through 2010, Social Studies Teacher from September 2008 through June of 2010, and Special Education Teacher from September of 2004 through August of 2008. Congratulations and welcome, Mr. Coviello!
SUPERVISORS OF INSTRUCTION – LEARNING CENTERS
Prior to July of 2014, the District employed three Consociates. Three teachers served in roles more traditionally fulfilled by those in supervisory positions while never being formally employed in those capacities. In an effort to recognize them appropriately, enhance supervisory capacity, and better ensure quality instruction, the Board approved the Supervisor of Instruction job description and appointed Learning Center Consociates Dr. Laurie Densen, Mr. Steve Kahn, Mr. Peter Noonan to the newly titled and described positions.
Dr. Laurie Densen began her tenure in Ridgefield in July of 1994. She has served as Reading Specialist, Self-contained Classroom Teacher, Associate Teacher, Consociate, and now Supervisor of Instruction. Dr. Densen holds New Jersey certifications for Elementary Teacher, Reading Specialist, Teacher of the Handicapped, and Supervisor.
Mr. Steve Kahn began his tenure in Ridgefield in November of 1988. He has served the district as Special Education Teacher with an emphasis on Students with Behavioral Disabilities, Consociate, and now Supervisor of Instruction. He has served as Assistant Girls and Boys Basketball Coach and Head Girls Basketball Coach. Mr. Kahn holds New Jersey certifications for Teacher of the Handicapped, Nursery School, Student Personnel Services, and Supervisor.
Mr. Peter Noonan began his tenure in Ridgefield in September of 1988. Since then, he has served as Special Education Teacher (the Districts first Magnet Program Teacher), High School Guidance Counselor, School to Careers Counselor, Transitions Counselor, Ridgefield Advantage (over 21) Program Coordinator, Consociate, and now Supervisor of Instruction. He has also served as Student Council Advisor at the elementary level. Mr. Noonan holds New Jersey certifications for Teacher of the Handicapped and Supervisor.
All three of our recently appointed Supervisors of Instruction – Learning Center continue to be invaluable assets to Ridgefield Public Schools. They have been instrumental in the creation of highly successful programs for children. How lucky we’ve been to have them serve so willingly, caringly, and effectively in so many critical roles. Congratulations!
SUPERVISOR OF SPECIAL PROJECTS
To assist with long-range planning (e.g., strategic planning), database management, data analysis, personnel administration, development and maintenance of district policy and procedures, staff development planning and implementation, project management, grant writing, state reporting,
and public relations, the Superintendent recommended and the Board approved a change in job description and title from District Assistant to Supervisor of Special Projects. The resulting changes better define the existing scope of work, expand the scope of work, and categorize this position more appropriately as supervisory rather than teaching with a stipend, since it deals regularly with confidential matters. Currently serving in the position of District Assistant is Ms. Kara Doviak, who has been with Ridgefield Public Schools for nineteen years. She began as a Learning Center Social Worker in the 1995-96 school year. In 2001 she began her journey from School Social Worker to District Assistant. In 2002, she began acting as Transition Coordinator until 2011, when she became strictly District Assistant in a full-time capacity. Ms. Doviak is a dedicated professional who has served our schools flexibly and intelligently throughout her years in-district.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OPENING
The final step in the District’s reorganization will occur on January 1, 2015. The position of Supervisor of Instruction at Shaler Academy Schools will convert to Assistant Principal for Preschool and Primary Grades at Shaler Academy and Bergen Boulevard School. The conversion from supervisor to assistant principal will allow for greater flexibility in coverage of the two schools, while satisfying the States requirement of Principal Certification for building management. This change will allow for more flexible building coverage, more effective teacher support and evaluation, and more effective professional development coordination.
IN SUMMARY
The attached District Organizational Chart captures all of the aforesaid developments, as it places every district position in appropriate context and in relationship to one another. In addition to the details presented this document, several job descriptions have been rewritten in order to better define connections to work and expectations in the areas of Program and Instruction. Some have been board approved and some will go before the Board within the next several weeks. Ridgefield Public Schools are well positioned to support our parents and our professionals as together we work to provide exceptional growth opportunities for our children and adolescents.