Midland Park
October 14, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11
The Midland Park High School Math Department is expected to be back to full complement in the near future. Two teachers resigned at the start of the year, and other staff members stepped up to the plate to fill the gap until permanent replacements could be hired. Last week, the board of education accepted the resignation of math teachers Esther Bengel and Anne Marie Spano retroactive to Sept. 30. The two teachers had started working at the high school on Sept. 1. Both had been hired at Step 2 of the BA guide at an annual salary of $42,315. Ariel Weissman was set to start working Monday as one of the replacements. She will be paid $46,561 at Step 1 of the MA
Math department will soon be at full complement
guide. Superintendent of School Dr. William Heebink said he had interviewed several candidates and would be recommending another new teacher at the board’s next meeting. In the interim, Gail Traitz, who had been teaching one math class at MPHS, had her position temporarily increased to four classes retroactive to Oct. 5. Veteran teacher Donald Elliott picked up one additional class from his normal schedule to cover the gap. Therese Connors, coincidentally a MPHS honors graduate, has been teaching algebra, geometry, and exploratory middle school math classes until a permanent replacement is hired. “We are naturally disappointed that two teachers in the same department would depart in such a fast fashion. However, with proper credit to (high school principal) Mrs. (Patricia) Terraciano, the interim arrangement made is a strong one composed of quality, experienced teachers. “Moreover, we are most pleased with the
caliber of the candidates slated to replace these teachers. In the end, there is a good prospect of an even stronger set of math teachers at the high school,” commented Dr. Heebink, adding, “If the match was not a good one for the two teachers who departed, it is better discovered and dealt with now than half way through the school year.”
The Midland Park Fire Department visited the students at Kid’s Clubhouse during Fire Prevention Week. (Photo courtesy of Les Berkman.)
An ounce of prevention