Newly Appointed Lloyd Road Assistant Principal Accepts Job in Oceanport

Recently appointed Assistant Principal Matthew Howell instead accepted a job , Superintendent David Healy confirmed. Howell, who is currently a principal at Lillian Drive Elementary School in Hazlet, and was expected to start in September.

According to the July 23 meeting agenda of the Matawan Aberdeen Regional Board of Education, the board will vote on terminating Howell's contract. The termination would take effect as of Sept. 17, 2012. 

The agenda states, "The Board serves notice of its intention to terminate the Administrative Contract previously awarded to Mr. Matthew Howell on May 21, 2012 for the 2012-2013 school year, pursuant to the 60-day notice provision set forth in the contract."

Healy said he is does not know why Howell chose the position in Oceanport.

"I was surprised as well," Healy said.

The assistant principal position at the upper elementary school was eliminated in 2010 due to budget and administrative cuts. In November 2011, the district in harrassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) incidents and Healy told Patch that the increase was likely in part due to a need for stronger supervision.

Howell would have been the first person to hold the position since the 2009-10 academic year. Healy said the board of education is starting the interview process again this week and hopes to be able to fill the position before the school year begins. He explained that school districts typically require 60 days notice to release an administrator from a contract, but the district can choose to release the administrator early.

When Howell was appointed, Board President Charles Kenny said the board was looking forward to the skills and practices Howell would bring to the district.

"The superintendent and the board recognize that Mr. Howell has a mastery of a variety of instructional and assessment practices and he supports the use of those assessment practices in a student centered learning environment," .

Howell would have been paid $122,478 a year as assistant principal at Lloyd Road School, according to Personnel Attachment #1-B from the Matawan Aberdeen Board of Education's July 11 committee meeting agenda. According to DataUniverse, which compiled staff and salary information released from the Department of Education, in 2010-11 Howell earned $109,726 for the academic year as principal in Hazlet. Howell will now make $103,000 a year as principal of Oceanport's Maple Place Middle School, .

Lloyd Road School has been a hot topic at recent board of education meetings. Several Lloyd Road teachers and staff members will be moved to other schools in the disctrict and the school's in June, prompting district employees and parents alike to question the stability of the school.

Karen McFadden was at the board's June 11 meeting, expressing her concern that her daughter will enter an upper elementary school with a new principal, new assistant principal, new secretary, new counselor and several new teachers.

"We were here two months ago with . We're here once again, with our daughter, who like any child with a school change is experiencing some trepidation. Who's going to be the steady hand to guide that child? She's looking for it; I'm looking for it," said McFadden.

The next meeting of the board of education will be on Monday, July 23 at 7 p.m. at One Crest Way in Aberdeen Township.