New Ridge High School Principal Approved By Bernards Township Board Of Education

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — A new Ridge High School principal was approved by the Bernards Township Board of Education on Monday.

Cheryl Howarth was approved effective Sept. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with a salary of $202,767, prorated to reflect her start date.

Board of Education President Jennifer White highlighted the appointment during the meeting's personnel agenda.

White said Howarth has served as an assistant principal in the district since 2016 and described her as familiar with the staff, students and school community.

Howarth has worked in teacher evaluation and development, data collection and analysis, staff management, building budgeting and operations, and has been involved in the Ridge master schedule, student support programs, RTI and HIB.

White also said Howarth has led work at Ridge in Restoring Focus, the Talk Kind initiative, AI, crisis management, school safety, and character education.

Howarth is working on a Doctorate of Education and previously earned degrees in exercise science, physical education, and educational leadership.

She also worked as a middle school physical education and health teacher from 2005 to 2016 before becoming an assistant principal.

After the vote, Howarth thanked the board and district administrators.

"I've actually had 21 years working in the district, and I am committed to continuing the rich traditions that Ridge has already had, while working to continue to grow and make Ridge the best place we can for our students," said Howarth.

Howarth added, "It is an absolute privilege to take on this new role in a community that, quite honestly, means so much to me, both personally and professionally."

Howarth is replacing current principal Russell Lazovick. The BOE previously appointed Lazovick as the new Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction District Office at its May 4 meeting.

Lazovick will receive a salary of $232,086 effective Sept. 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

He is replacing Kristin Fox, who was approved as the new Superintendent of Schools effective Sept. 1, 2026, and approved her contract through June 30, 2030, with a starting salary of $230,000.

Superintendent Nick Markarian said Howarth's appointment will leave an assistant principal position vacant in September.

"We are in the midst now of working with the admin team and coming up with a plan to try to accomplish all of the work without adding back that position," Markarian said.

He said the district had been working on the issue preliminarily and can now move forward officially after the board's approval.

Markarian said the plan is to return with proposals on how to manage the work with one less administrator.

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