Caldwell High Grad Replaces Trimmer in Gym

Kyle Huff has some pretty big sneakers to fill.

The 2004 James Caldwell High School grad was appointed Monday night by the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education as a physical education and health teacher at the high school, replacing the recently retired and well-respected Ken Trimmer.

According to Superintendent Daniel Gerardi, Huff was selected by Principal Kevin Barnes among approximately 25 candidates for the position. Huff, who will earn a salary of $44,475, received a bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Kean University and has served as a substitute teacher in the Caldwell-West Caldwell district as well as an assistant coach the past two years for the high school's boys lacrosse team.

"It's nice to have some local, homegrown teachers," Board Member Rosanne Hansen said. "I've known Kyle since kindergarten. This is really a thrill to have him back in school."

The board also appointed 2006 JCHS grad William Downey as a part-time elementary school music teacher. The recent Ithaca College grad will earn $25,980 to instruct the strings program, which have been reduced due to budget constraints.

Gregory Vaccaro, who had been a special education teacher at North Caldwell's Gould School the past three years, was appointed teacher of the handicapped at JCHS. Vaccaro, an assistant football coach at West Essex High School, will earn a salary of $46,360.

Vaccaro, who earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education, special education and American studies at La Salle University, replaces Jennifer Costantini.

In addition, Debra McKay will replace the recently retired Monica Blumberg as a math teacher at JCHS.

McKay, who will earn a salary of $53,080, earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics and business management from Rutgers University in 1982. After years in the private sector, McKay completed the alternate route program in 2008 and has taught mathematics in the Chatham school district.

The board, which opened the meeting with an hour-long public session on changes to special education services, also recognized the Caldwell-West Caldwell Education Foundation, which donated $14,823.13 to the Board of Education for science equipment and materials for the district's elementary schools.