Program Chairman To Be Added at Middle School

The Board of Education approved a program chairman to help with teacher supervision at Millburn Middle School.

The school board approved the new position when it approved the personnel report during its meeting Tuesday night. The position was requested by new Schools Supt. James Crisfield, according to Lise Chapman, board Personnel Committee chairman.

Crisfield said the intent is to enhance teacher supervision at the middle school with the position being a blend of a vice principal and a department chairman, which is a role that replaced the subject supervisors at the high school. He wants to make sure middle school teachers have sufficient supervision at the middle school with observations but also as an advisor and helping teachers with their professional development.

In addition to the supervisory role, the program chairman also would teach a skills class at the middle school. The new department chairman at the high school would oversee the curriculum for the middle school.

Chapman, in giving the Personnel Committee report, said the person holding the position would be considered for tenure after two years if it's filled internally. If an external candidate fills the position, he would be considered for tenure after three years. The salary for the position is listed as TBD on the information filed with the personnel report.

The board Tuesday night also approved the final department chairman for the high school. Gina Santianna will serve as the social studies department chairwoman. The board approved the other chairmen in May. They are:

• Jessica Siegel, English
• Neil Cooperman, Math
• John Yi, Science
• Abigail Crespo, World language

Also, the board voted to extend Interim School Business Administrator Robert Zeglarski's contract through Sept. 30. There is no salary change of $114,000. Zeglarski retired from the position in spring 2009 but returned last fall in the interim capacity. Crisfield is working to hire a permanent business administrator.