Highlights included a student’s award for a writing project and a celebration for several retiring staff members.
It was revealed at Tabernacle’s Board of Education meeting Monday night that several of the school’s longstanding faculty members would be retiring. The meeting was held in the Media Center of the Kenneth R. Olson Middle School.
“I did the math,” Superintendent Glenn Robbins said, “and we’re losing 155 combined years of experience.”
The retirees are teachers Barbara Foster, Kimberly Lacey, Denise Madden, Rachel Manning and Karen Ordog, as well as bus drivers Debra Foster and Sandra Gerber.
Lacey taught at the school for 40 years.
All present retirees were presented with a certificate of appreciation.
Additionally, student Meghan Lepsis accepted an award for first place in the 2017 New Jersey Statewide Writing Contest. She won the middle school category of her division. She received a plaque of achievement, an American Express gift card and two one-day passes to Six Flags Great Adventure.
“I want to recognize Meghan for all her hard work and all that she does here,” Robbins said. “To take first place in a teen award is simply outstanding.”
In addition, the board approved the hires of the following new teachers at Tabernacle Elementary School: Michael Dunlea, who will teach second grade; William Flake who will teach physical education; Rebecca Gall, who will teach second grade; Andra Gerst, who will teach kindergarten; and Jeffrey Nutt and Samantha Traina, both of whom will teach special education.
The following teachers have been reassigned positions at Tabernacle Elementary School: Amy Brewin has been reassigned from first grade special education to third grade special education, Nicole DeStefano has been reassigned from fourth grade special education to second grade special education, and Donna Layne has been reassigned from third grade special education to third grade general education.
Brianna McCarthy was the lone teacher to be reassigned classes at Olson Middle School. She will no longer be teaching sixth and seventh grade education and will instead teach fifth grade general education.
The next Tabernacle Board of Education meeting will be held Aug. 21 at 7 pm in the Media Center of Kenneth R. Olson Middle School.
