BOE Appoints New Principal For Lawrence’s Ben Franklin Elementary

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — During a special meeting held on Wednesday, the Lawrence Township Board of Education approved the appointment of a new Principal for Ben Franklin Elementary School.

Geoffrey Hewitt will be taking over from Jay Billy, who recently submitted his resignation to the Board. Billy will be moving to a neighboring school district as Principal.

Hewitt has been the Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Instruction for the South Hunterdon Regional School District for the past seven years. Before that, he served for six years as a principal for a PreK-6 elementary school in the Lambertville Public School District.

He began his administrative career first as a vice principal, and later as an acting principal for Barley Sheaf Elementary School, a PreK-4 elementary school in the Flemington-Raritan School District, where he was also a middle school science teacher for eight years prior to that.

“Leading a school community and being an active participant within a community has always been Mr. Hewitt’s desire and passion,” Superintendent Ross Kasun told the school community in an email Thursday afternoon.

“Mr. Hewitt brings a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, energy and a passion to work with elementary school students, which is why he wanted to return to serving as a principal; he truly believes it is his calling. He wants you to know that he feels fortunate to be joining Ben Franklin, and is looking forward to meeting and working with every student, family, and member of the community.”

According to Kasun Hewitt is currently “getting the lay of the land” and meeting teachers and students over the summer.

“While we don’t yet know his official start date, we can assure you that his heart is already devoted to Ben Franklin School and its community,” Kasun said.

Billy’s last day at Ben Franklin will be Friday, August 4. In the interim, Clifton J. Thompson will serve as acting Principal. Thompson has more than 10 years of experience in elementary school teaching and administration.

Have a correction or a news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com