Paterson schools chief moves 10 principals to different schools

PATERSON — Superintendent Laurie Newell is transferring 10 principals to different schools for the 2024-25 year, changes that will impact Paterson’s two largest high schools and about 20% of all city schools.

The educators received messages at 6 p.m. Tuesday night about their new assignments, said Grace Giglio, president of the union that represents Paterson’s school principals.

Giglio said she thought the principals should have been given more notice about the moves. She said they had been expecting to return to the schools where they were last year and even had been hiring staff members at those schools.

“A lot of these principals are on vacation and they don’t even know yet they’ve been transferred,” said Giglio.

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Newell, who was hired a year ago in an an effort to improve the district’s academic performance, issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon explaining the reason for the moves and addressing the union’s criticism.

"We understand the concerns regarding the timing of the principal reassignments and apologize for any inconvenience caused,” Newell said. “These recommended changes were made with the goal of enhancing our leadership teams and improving the educational outcomes for our students.”

Principals report for work Aug. 19

The district requires its principals to report for work on Aug. 19 for a week of training and workshops, Giglio said.

“It’s going to be difficult for them to be ready at their new schools in time,” Giglio said. “I’m sure they’ll rise to the occasion. But we’re not happy about it.”

Newell said the district would provide the “necessary resources” for a smooth start to the school year.

“We appreciate the dedication of our principals and are confident in their ability to excel in their new roles," Newell said. "Our focus remains on delivering the highest quality education to our students, and these proposed reassignments are a step towards achieving that goal."

Two of the high profile changes are at the high school level.

New principals at JFK and Eastside high schools

Joanne Riviello, a 48-year district employee, is leaving School 21 to become principal at John F. Kennedy High School, while Sham Bacchus will be moving from the New Roberto Clemente School to Eastside High School.

Kennedy’s former principal, Jorge Osoria, resigned to take a job in the Englewood school district, while Eastside’s top administrator, Edgard Nieves, is transferring to School 21.

Officials said the school board would be getting information about the reassignments during an upcoming meeting.

“I trust that Dr. Newell and the administration is using data and evidence to help guide them in these decisions,” said school board president Manny Martinez.

Martinez said the elected board members should have no power over “who should be where” when it comes to principal assignments.

Rosie Grant, head of the Paterson Education Foundation advocacy group, said, “Change is hard but necessary.”

“I don’t know the specific reason for each of the shifts, but I do believe we have to make changes if we want to see different results,” Grant added. “Hopefully, people's strengths are being matched to the schools' particularized needs. I hope everyone will be successful in their new positions. Their success will lead to success for our children.”

The president of the Paterson Education Association (PEA) teachers’ union said he has not been apprised of the impending moves.

"PEA has not been provided any of the information and were told that we would be provided this once it became board approved,” said union president John McEntee. “Until it is approved, and until we have had time to analyze each of the moves, the PEA is unable to provide any feedback."

Here are the other principal changes

• Dorothy Douge moves from School 26 to the Early Childhood Learning Center.
• Bridget Naveira moves from Roberto Clemente Elementary School to School 15.
• Stanley Sumter moves from the Early Childhood Center to School 26.
• Richard Sanducci Jr. moves from Dale Avenue School to New Roberto Clemente.
• Amod Field moves from Joseph A. Taub Middle School to Adult and Continuing Education.
• Lolita Vaughn moves from School 10 to Dale Avenue School.
• Ramona Garcia moves from School 15 to Roberto Clemente.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson schools chief moves 10 principals to different schools