Zuckerman is New Director of Instructional Services

Just moments after they voted to create the position of director of instructional services, the Lawrence Township Board of Education at its meeting Monday night (Sept. 12) unanimously approved Andrew Zuckerman for the post, effective today.

Zuckerman had been serving as principal of Lawrence Middle School.

The director of instructional services position was created to replace the post of assistant superintendent, which the district will no longer use. The responsibilities of the new position, however, mirror those of the old position.

“If you look at the job description, you’ll see it’s precisely everything that our assistant superintendant did,” school board President Laura Waters said during the meeting.

Those responsibilities include serving as the district’s coordinator of curriculum, instruction and assessment; acting as the district’s No Child Left Behind coordinator; supervising all federal, state and local grants; and being responsible for the supervision and professional development of staff. (A full description of the job qualifications and responsibilities can be found on Pages 15-17 of the meeting agenda, a copy of which can be viewed in the media box above.)

Superintendent Crystal Lovell – who served as the Lawrence’s assistant superintendent from 2005 until – explained after the meeting that the change was made for a variety reason.

The title “director of instructional services” better describes the functions performed by the person in that position, she said. The change also gives the district a little more flexibility. By law, she explained, assistant superintendents can only be given one-year contracts, and the process is often delayed because assistant superintendent appointments must also be affirmed at the county and state levels in addition to be approved by the local school board.

In addition to approving Zuckerman as the new director of instructional services, the board unanimously voted to approve moving Lawrence Middle School Assistant Principal Mindy Milavsky up to acting principal, to serve in that capacity until a fulltime replacement for Zuckerman is found. Milavsky will be aided by a “support team” of faculty.

It was noted Zuckerman and Milavsky will serve in their new positions at their previously-approved salaries – $134,778 for Zuckerman and $129,357 for Milavsky.

A formal search for a new Lawrence Middle School principal will be launched immediately, Lovell said Monday night. She noted that Milavsky, should she wish to do so, will be able to apply to be considered for the permanent principal’s job.  As part of that search, the district today posted a brief survey on its website asking township residents to “give us your thoughts on criteria to consider when selecting a new principal for LMS.”

“It’s so exciting to see our own staff become such competent leaders and that we have places for you to go,” Waters said after the board had concluded its voting.

“I’m very looking forward to it and I appreciate the support from everybody,” Zuckerman said. “I’m very much looking forward to moving into the position and assisting all students and teachers.”

Zuckerman came to Lawrence Township Public Schools in 2004 when he was hired as assistant principal at Lawrence Intermediate School. He was named principal at Lawrence Middle School in 2005. He holds a doctorate in education leadership from Nova Southeastern University, a master’s degree in educational administration from Rider University, and a bachelor’s degree in education from Hofstra University. He previous taught in the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District and served as a district supervisor in Parsippany-Troy Hills.

The following news release was issued by the school district following the board meeting:

At their Sept. 12 meeting, the Lawrence Township Public Schools (LTPS) Board of Education (BOE) approved new Superintendent Crystal Lovell’s recommendation and appointed Andrew Zuckerman as the district director of instructional services (formerly known as assistant superintendent of instructional services). The appointment is effective Sept. 13, 2011.

Dr. Lovell had held this position since 2005 until she became the district’s new superintendent on September 1, 2011.

Additionally the BOE appointed current Lawrence Middle School (LMS) Assistant Principal Mindy Milavsky as acting Principal. Ms. Milavsky will work with district supervisors and oversee LMS’s operations until the BOE appoints a new principal for the school.

Zuckerman’s move to the district’s administration building comes after having led Lawrence Middle School as its Principal since 2005. He began his LTPS service in 2004 as an assistant principal at Lawrence Intermediate School. Zuckerman is obtaining his doctorate in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University, holds a master’s in educational administration from Rider University, and got his BS in education from Hofstra University.

Zuckerman’s educational career started in the West Windsor Plainsboro Regional School District where he taught physical education for nine years. He then became a district supervisor in Parsippany-Troy Hills where he worked with his staff to obtain a Susan B. White Grant to implement a district-wide wellness program impacting all 14 schools within the district.

At LMS Zuckerman worked with students, staff, and community members to focus on teaching and learning to prepare students for the 21st century. He worked with his staff to recognize the importance of data in identifying differences between students that facilitated differentiation to meet their individual needs.

Zuckerman is a technology leader within LTPS. In July 2011 he presented a workshop on “Creating Sustainable Change” at the Building Learning Communities 2011 conference in Boston. As part of the district’s Talent 21 Grant and 1:1 mobile initiative, all 6th, 7th, and 8th graders have received a Netbook. Zuckerman has worked with the LMS teachers to implement this technology to enhance students’ learning opportunities.

Superintendent Lovell said, “I am extremely pleased to have Mr. Zuckerman join the central office team. He brings a wealth of knowledge in educational technology and curriculum integration. Equally important, he inspires and motivates both staff and students to explore new concepts and ideas. The district is in good hands with Mr. Zuckerman leading the charge into the 21st century.”