Watchung's New Superintendent Readies for New Year

The beginning of the school year in Watchung will bring a new structure to the district's administration that extends beyond .

Incoming Superintendent Barbara Resko's to move from her post as  principal to the superintendent's office may have shifted desk about 30 feet down the hall, but the change also included restructuring in the her former position.

For starters, Dr. Resko is holding onto half of her previous duties as director of special services, and her duties as principal will be handled by Principal Barbara Nunn.

Nunn is now principal at both schools, and will rely on the assistance of . 

"There is a significant restructuring of the district administratively," she said, adding the structure followed from discussions of what would be a more efficient organization for the distirct. 

Such a change-up could be problematic, if not for the background and history Dr. Resko and Nunn offer the district. Nunn has been principal at Bayberry for several years, while Dr. Resko's resume begins in Watchung.

She started her career in education in the 1980s, teaching alongside former Watchung Hills Regional Principal Thomas DiGanci, then came to Watchung as school psychologist.

She left to work in other districts for about 10 years, returning as director of curriculum, special services and grants in 2005. In 2010, she was named Valley View School principal and the district's director of special services.

This promises to be a tumultuous year in the district, as the schools integrate new curriculum standards in language arts and math, as well as launch a new teacher evaluation process in conjunction with Watchung Hills and its other sending districts.

But the Holmdel resident anticipates a smooth transition in the coming year, thanks to "the high standards the teachers set, the parental involvement, and the board's support."

"It has all the ingredients for a highly successful district and I couldn't ask for anything more," she said.

Dr. Resko said she will also be following through on the district's plans for technology upgrades, and is looking forward to the district's participation in the county-sponsored solar projects, which could save substantial amounts of money for the schools.

with a base salary of $135,000 plus potential bonueses based on performance and the achievement of several student performance and district goals. 

Residents who haven't had a chance to meet Dr. Resko can do so at Tuesday's Board of Education meeting, her first as superintendent and during which, she'll give a report on the district projects.

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