Superintendent's Welcome Message

Dear Community Members: 

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year. As usual, we anticipate a great year for our students, staff, parents/guardians and communities.  When we began our planning for the new school year, we, again, were ever-mindful of our facility needs.  We are actively addressing our facilities issues by planning community forums and a community survey.  These two initiatives will more fully involve our communities in the discussion for a future facilities/capital improvement referendum.  We have transformed some of the former Polytech space into classrooms and/or offices at both schools to meet student and staff needs.  However, a referendum will be needed to fully convert all of the former Polytech space as well as address several extensive capital improvement needs. 

This year will also see the district make a final determination on whether or not to extend the student Random Drug Testing Program, which we have had in place for three years.  In addition to the above projects, our Educational Goals for this year are:  

  • Community Service

The District will enhance options to increase the percent of students participating in community service activities during their high school experience.

  • Literacy

The District will fully implement an advanced literacy program.

  • Space Utilization

The District will continue to evaluate its facilities to assess existing instructional space and determine current and future needs.

  • The Continuation of our Previous Goals

     

    • The continued infusion of technology throughout the curriculum.
    • The continued expansion of student-centered instructional practices.
    • The continued implementation of a comprehensive staff development program.
    • The continued exploration of approaches for strengthening the relationship between the District and our sending district partners.

In addition, the following list includes a few of the projects on which we will be working this year: 

  • A search for a permanent replacement for the position of School Business Administrator/Board Secretary.
  • The expansion of collaboration with Hunterdon County Polytech.
  • The preparation for NJQSAC (NJ Quality Single Accountability Continuum) which begins in September 2008.
  • The preparation of our 2008-2009 District Budget.
  • The continuation of policy review and update.
  • The implementation of our in-house payroll system.
  • The planning and implementation of energy conservation measures.

During the 2006-2007 school year, we experienced success in meeting our District and student-centered goals.  Numbered among our highlights were: 

  • The creation of the Superintendent’s Quality of Student Life Committee, a cross section of students from both North Hunterdon and Voorhees, which meets with the Superintendent to discuss various school issues.
  • Work with the Ad-Hoc Space Use Committee regarding referendum recommendations.
  • Continued work with Stonegate Associates to improve school security.
  • Work with the Hunterdon County Health Department as part of the task force to deal with pandemic flu and other issues.
  • The creation of the New Superintendents’ Discussion Group for Hunterdon County Superintendents.
  • The expansion of the District’s internet bandwidth due to increased demand.
  • The completion of the District’s three-year, long-range technology plan.
  • The creation of North Hunterdon High School’s television channel 25 on Patriot Media as a community access channel.
  • The upgrading of the District’s wireless network which now allows for speeds 5 times faster than before.
  • The implementation of Global Connect Communications System to notify all parents/guardians via a phone message in case of an emergency.
  • The completion of the renovation of selected areas at both schools vacated by Polytech.
  • The writing and securing of a $50,000 grant under the Governor’s Initiative on Autism.
  • The hiring of approximately 80 new employees because of retirements, resignations, sabbaticals, increase in enrollment and curricular needs.
  • The continuation of the careful monitoring of weather conditions to protect the safety of staff, students, parents and community members.
  • The increase in two-way communication with the District’s various publics.
  • The successful and highly complimentary completion of the Middle States Accreditation process at Voorhees and North Hunterdon.
  • The graduation of 399 students from North Hunterdon and 339 students from Voorhees, (738).

As you can see, the 2006-2007 school year was filled with notable accomplishments and we look forward to another productive school year for 2007-2008.  Our Board of Education and administration thank you for your continued interest, involvement and support of our efforts on behalf of our students. 

Sincerely,
Charles M. Shaddow, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Schools