Franklin Lakes February 13, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Schoen accepts superintendent’s post in Mahwah by Frank J. McMahon C. Lauren Schoen, Ed.D, the superintendent of schools for the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District, has notified her staff and the district’s parents and guardians that she has resigned her position in order to accept the position of superintendent in Mahwah. Schoen advised that her last official day in Ramapo Indian Hills will be May 15. The regional school board will soon be discussing a search for a new superintendent. “My four years in Ramapo Indian Hills have been both enjoyable and rewarding,” Schoen stated in her message to the community. “I consider it a privilege to have had the opportunity to serve as your superintendent. The best aspect of my time in Ramapo Indian Hills has been the opportunity to work with dedicated staff members, motivated students, supportive parents, and board of education members who are truly interested in what is best for our district and our students. I will take with me many fond memories.” Ira Belsky, a former trustee, was instrumental in hiring Schoen four years ago. Commenting on her resignation, Belsky said, “I was disappointed to hear that Ramapo Indian Hills School District Superintendent Lauren Schoen has tendered her resignation and will assume a comparable position in Mahwah. During my tenure on the board, I came to know Lauren as an exceptional educational leader who was committed to enhancing the academic performance of our students and to ensuring high quality in-class instruction from all district teachers. Mahwah’s gain is a great loss for Ramapo Indian Hills. Dr. Schoen will be difficult to replace.” In 2009, Schoen was appointed at starting salary of $197,500. That contract was due to expire on June 30, 2013. According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, based on the current 2,304 student enrollment in the regional high school district, the maximum base salary she would be able to receive in a new contract would be $155,000 plus an additional stipend of $2,500 because her district includes a high school. Schoen replaced former superintendent Paul Saxton, who retired from the district in 2008 after serving for 11 years. Saxton is credited with resolving the controversy that existed for 26 years over the policy of splitting Franklin Lakes students between the district’s two high schools. When Schoen became superintendent in July 2009, she The Franklin Lakes Public Library invites teens in grade six and up to make a Valentine Craft with local artist Jacque Benevento on Thursday, Feb. 14. The craft session will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. The library will supply all materials. On Friday, Feb. 15, anime artists will offer tips to teens on the popular cartoon style from 4 to 5 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their artwork. Public library offers teens programs said her long-term goals for the district were to increase student achievement and the use of technology, and to improve the district’s “advanced” and “proficient” scores on the High School Proficiency Assessment tests in language arts literacy and mathematics, while decreasing the number of students who show partial proficiency on those tests. She also said she wanted to prepare the students in the district for the global economy and the global job market. Some initiatives she introduced included the Italian IV, Graphic Design II, and AP Statistics courses. In addition, a new college planning software program called Naviance was introduced that allowed the district to send mid-year reports, including course recommendations and transcripts, to college placement officers. The school board must now begin the task of finding a permanent replacement for Schoen at the new salary cap limit for superintendents in school districts of this size and it is expected that the board will appoint an interim superintendent while that search is conducted. The Mahwah Board of Education is approving a fiveyear contract for Dr Schoen, which will extend from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2018. Her appointment is subject to a mutually agreeable employment contract and the approval of that contract by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools. The library will host a Thursday afternoon movie on Feb. 21. The film will be shown from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and feature a secret spy who must prevent disaster. The movie is rated PG and runs 110 minutes. This comedy is suitable for all ages. The library is located at 470 DeKorte Drive. Call (201) 891-2224 for more information.