Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • July 17, 2013 Franklin Lakes Woodside Avenue School principal begins her term by Frank J. McMahon Kristine Cecere, the new principal of Woodside Avenue Elementary School in Franklin Lakes, has begun her term. She will be working on her transition to the position with Helen Attenello, the district’s veteran school principal, during the next three months. Attenello has been the interim principal at the school since the resignation of the previous principal, Dominick Rotante, who took a leave of absence in 2012 and whose resignation became effective June 30. Superintendent Frank Romano recommended Cecere to the Franklin Lakes Board of Education at a public meeting on June 26. The school board unanimously appointed her with an effective date of July 1, 2013. Her contract extends to June 30, 2014 and she will be paid an annual salary of $126,759. According to Romano, Cecere responded to the WAS principal search, which included three complete rounds and attracted candidate pools totaling 173 applicants. After the third round, she emerged as one of two finalists and then went on to secure the position after a comprehensive process that included both staff and community profile building; careful reviews of application packets; administrative screenings and input; representative committee interviews, scoring, and recommendation; board representative interviews and recommendations; and reference checks. “Ms. Cecere possesses so many of the attributes that one hopes to find in a public school leader,” Romano said. “She is well educated; she possesses broad and deep life experience; she presents the nature and skill sets that will serve students, parents, teachers, administrative colleagues, and the general organization well.” Romano pointed out that Fort Lee, where Cecere had been working since 2008, has suffered major setbacks due to an organizational upheaval that has impacted administrators and supervisors. Cecere, he said, chose to come to Franklin Lakes to continue her career as a committed and passionate school leader. “Throughout the interview process, Ms. Cecere presented herself as an intelligent, thoughtful, and experienced educator,” Romano stated. “Her statements seemed genuine and confident. She conveyed inspiring commitment to and passion for children and she will bring comfort and stability to the Woodside Avenue School and to the school district. “Conversations with those who have worked closely with her indicated her strength and talent as an educational leader, her ability to engage parents and guardians, and her potential to do great things with faculty and staff and for the children. Those who met her during the past few months have characterized her as bright, nurturing, creative, and, most importantly, as someone who cares about children and understands what it takes to provide them with the services that they need to thrive. These and many other attributes make her an excellent match for the Franklin Lakes educational community.” Cecere holds a bachelor of arts in sociology from Susquehanna University, a master of arts in elementary education from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a master of arts in educational leadership from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and has done additional graduate work at Columbia University in reading and writing. Prior to coming to public education, Cecere was a business owner and CEO of several auto dealerships. She then went into the publication business and began her transition to education as a contract consultant for an educational design firm. She became a teacher in 1999 for Old Tappan at both the middle and elementary school levels. She then took a job as a middle school language arts teacher in Fort Lee in September of 2008 and was promoted over the course of the next three years to instructional supervisor and then to elementary school principal. On June 3, a Pulis Avenue resident reported that unknown persons had fraudulently used two credit card checks from her account. Detective Anthony Pacelli investigated. The same day, Colony Florist on Franklin Avenue reported that unknown persons had stolen a number of plants from the front of the store during the overnight. The plants were valued at approximately $500. Officer Gerard Gansel investigated. On June 11, a Helen Court resident reported that on Sunday, June 9, unknown persons had used her debit account in New York City to make approximately $300 Franklin Lakes Police Department Report in fraudulent transactions. Detective Jeffrey Jost investigated. Also on June 11, a Stonewall Court resident reported that on Saturday, June 8, unknown persons had attempted to use her ATM account to make fraudulent transactions. The matter has been referred to the detective bureau. Sergeant William Cook investigated. The same day, a High Mountain Road resident reported that, during the daytime hours, unknown persons entered her home and rifled through her property in the master (continued on page 21)