Cranford's Hillside Avenue School Has A New Principal

CRANFORD, NJ - The principal shuffle in Cranford continues as Livingston Avenue School Principal Kevin Deacon has been appointed to take the reins of Hillside Avenue School next school year.

Deacon replaces Curt Fogas who is retiring after 20 years at the helm of the school.

Deacon began his teaching career as a special education teacher in Queens, NY, at Walter H. Crowley Intermediate School. He taught in an inclusive 7th and 8th grade math class and also served as a replacement 8th grade math teacher. In 2010, Mr. Deacon became assistant principal of the school. Among his accomplishments, he created an after-school intramural sports program as a behavior and academic incentive program. During this time he also oversaw the writing of a new math curriculum for the school.

In 2013, Mr. Deacon joined the Cranford community as the assistant principal of Orange Avenue School and then in 2016, he became the principal of Livingston Avenue School. As an administrator in Cranford, Deacon has created positive relationships in the school and community. He works with stakeholders to support student needs both academically and social-emotionally, officials said.

Deacon supervises the district’s Achieve program, which provides additional Math and Language Arts supports, and has worked to create a consistent and data-driven approach. Deacon is also part of the district’s New Jersey Tiered Systems of Supports (NJTSS) committee and is working with this group to develop and employ additional academic supports for students.

Deacon holds a B.A. in History from Siena College, Loudonville, NY, and he received a Master of Science in Special Education from Queens College, Queens, NY, and received his second Master's degree in School Leadership from Touro College, Manhattan, NY.

Deacon said he is looking forward to serving the students, staff, parents/guardians, and community of Hillside Avenue School and is extremely excited to be the new principal.

The end of the school year also brought the resignation of Orange Avenue School Principal Marc Edery, who said in a letter to the community that he came to the decision after much thought and reflection.

Lori Lubieski-Hutmaker was selected to replace Edery after an extensive search process which included multiple interviews with the selection committee that included the superintendent, asst. superintendent, parents, administrators, and teachers as well as reviews of work samples and a very thorough reference check, officials said.

Lubieski-Hutmaker had been the Assistant Principal at Madison Junior School.

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