By Allison Perrine
As a new school year approaches, some educational leadership positions in the Two River area have been filled by newcomers. The Two River Times spoke with a recently appointed high school superintendent, university president and charter school principal to hear how they hope to help students learn both academic and life lessons in the coming year.
Patrick Leahy officially took over the reins Aug. 1 as the 10th president of Monmouth University, succeeding Grey J. Dimenna. He previously served as the president of Wilkes University in Pennsylvania for seven years and held various administrative positions at Scranton University over an eight-year period.
As president of Monmouth, Leahy said he hopes to immerse himself in the community as much as possible in order to establish a more collaborative process in developing “a collective vision for the university going forward.”
He also said he hopes to find ways to maintain and extend the private university’s “responsibility” to be “positive forces for economic, cultural and social development in our community.”
To help the university grow in the future, Leahy said he will consistently examine programs to ensure student demands are met. He added that the universities that will thrive in the future are ones which keep programming relevant to the marketplace.
At the same time, Leahy said he feels strongly that the university maintain its dual commitment to liberal arts and the hard sciences, through a full range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.
“As interested as I am in making sure that we have professional programs that students seek to obtain the careers of their choice, I’m proud that at this university, respective of your professional degree program, you have to pass through general education curriculum,” he said.
He added that skills and materials can be picked up in the arts and humanities that can strengthen skills in all job fields.
DEBRA GULICK Superintendent
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School
The new superintendent of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, replacing Peter Righi. She brings 25 years of experience in the education field with her to her new role.
When asked what one of her first initiatives will be as the RFH superintendent, Gulick said it will be to take an innovative approach to implement the $12.6M referendum passed by voters in October and includes upgrades to academic and athletic facilities and programs.
“I want to make sure that we have used all of that support to create state-of-the-art learning spaces that allow students to experience an environment and activities they would not have experienced before,” she said.
Gulick said she hopes students and parents know that high school can be four of the greatest years of a student’s life and that they should fully engage in the high school experience.
“It’s about really taking risks in a safe space so you can learn who you are and what you love and what you want to do, not only in college but in your entire adult life,” she said. “When I talk to students, I’m going to ask them why they want to learn something and what they’re going to do to get there. ‘To get into college’ is not the answer.”
Red Bank Charter School
Kristen Martello is the new principal of Red Bank Charter School, replacing Meredith Pennotti. She has certificates in elementary and physical education, and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. She earned her administrative degree from New Jersey City University and has been in administration for the past 11 years. She recently received her doctorate degree as well.
She said one of her main goals as principal is to improve communication at the school. In July she sent out a parent survey to see what needs could be improved going forward and found parents asking for more communication.
She said she plans to make sure events are scheduled in a timely manner, to use tools and to utilize the redesigned website and social media.
“I believe in social-emotional learning for children. My philosophy is totally in line with the (student-centered) philosophy at the school,” she said.
