Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Restructuring VDV Administration


Dear Parents/Guardians of Somerville Public Schools,

My hope is that you have been pleased with your child’s progress this school year.  Our staff has been working extremely hard to accommodate the learning needs of every child.  If there is anything that we can do to further assist you and your child in the learning process, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher or principal.

The purpose of this letter is to inform you of my recommendation to the Board of Education to restructure school administration at Van Derveer School.  I reviewed this proposal at the June 3, 2014 Board of Education meeting.  As you may be aware, Van Derveer School has experienced a spike in student enrollment over the past few years and now is in the top 5% for elementary school enrollment in the state.  Increased student needs and several recent New Jersey Department of Education mandates have created an environment that necessitates additional principal support.  

This proposed reorganization includes two principals at Van Derveer School.  One principal will be dedicated to preschool/K-2 and another principal to grades 3-5.  While there will be no assistant principal, a curriculum supervisor will devote full-time duties to the school.  This reorganization places more emphasis on teacher support and the delivery of instruction.  The reallocation of duties will also allow the preschool/K-2 principal to oversee a district-wide student-mentoring program.

I welcome any thoughts or feedback regarding this reorganization.  The Board of Education may take action on this recommendation at the June 17, 2014 meeting.

Respectfully yours,

Timothy Purnell, Ed.D.


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