With Some Changes, Schools Welcome Students Back Wednesday

A new school year begins on Wednesday in Manchester and Lakehurst, and some things will be different for some students as they head back to class for the 2012-13 session. 

Most notably, Manchester middle and high school students will attend classes on a split schedule at the high school for a still undetermined amount of time as mold is cleaned from the middle school, an issue Superintendent of Schools David Trethaway acknowledged may inconvenience those affected.

"While we will do everything possible to keep the time for split sessions as short as possible, I can assure you that we will not compromise on safety, and students and staff will not return to the middle school until it is completely safe for everyone," Trethaway writes in a back to school message posted to the district's website.

The mold test report prepared by TTI Environmental is available online, as is more detailed information as to how the situation will impact high school and middle school students. More reporting from Manchester Patch on the situation .

Elementary students will not be impacted by the middle school mold remediation, Trethaway said. 

In preparation for the first day of school, the district has also made available on its website information on its lunch program, including menus and applying for free and/or reduced meals. 

In Lakehurst, after operating with an interim superintendent, the borough's Board of Education approved the hiring of Jill Dobrowansky to the district's top spot last week. 

"I am excited to begin the school year in Lakehurst and look forward to working with the Board of Education, staff, students, families and community members to offer our students a terrific school experience," she writes in a welcome back message on the school district's website. 

Business Administrator Barry Parliman said that the incoming superintendent will receive a salary of $110,000 for a contract spanning the 2012-13 school year. With Dobrowansky’s confirmation, the position of Interim Superintendent was eliminated by the board. 

Dobrowansky has previous experience in New Jersey school administration as a middle school principal in the Highland Park School District, and as an elementary and middle school principal in the Upper Freehold School District.

Manchester Patch will have more back to school coverage tomorrow as students begin the new year.