Livingston School Principal Will Take New Job In Special Ed Department

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A seasoned educator will soon be taking up a new job as the head of the elementary special education department, Livingston Public School District officials announced Monday.

Danielle Rosenzweig has been recommended for appointment as the district’s director of special education at the elementary level, administrators said.

Rosenzweig – who currently serves as the principal of the high school – is expected to begin her new position on July 1. The Livingston Board of Education is scheduled to approve her appointment during tomorrow evening’s meeting, which will take place at 7 p.m. at Heritage Middle School.

Livingston school administrators provided the following background about Rosenzweig:

“Ms. Rosenzweig holds a master’s degree in elementary and special education from Rutgers University, as well as an MEd. in educational leadership from Montclair State University. She is certified as a K-5 teacher of elementary education and as a K-12 teacher of students with disabilities. Prior to being appointed as the principal of LHS in 2021, Ms. Rosenzweig served as an assistant principal at LHS from 2016-2021 and as a special education teacher at LHS and Heritage Middle School from 2009-2016.”

Rosenzweig said she is “honored” to take up the call of duty, adding that her career began at the high school as a special education teacher 15 years ago.

“This foundational experience was pivotal in shaping my understanding of the diverse needs of students, and the importance of tailored support and intervention strategies,” Rosenzweig said. “I look forward to returning to my “roots” in special education, in a position where I am afforded the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated educators and talented administrators to further enhance the quality of special education services across the elementary level and support our students and families.”

“I am especially thankful that I am able to do so in this district, which I call home,” she added.

Superintendent Matthew Block said that having worked with Rosenzweig over the past five years, it is clear that she is a “very talented educational leader” with the dedication to match.

“We are excited to see the many great things she will contribute as she continues her educational journey with the Livingston Public Schools,” Block said.

Special education has come into the spotlight more in Livingston over the past few years.

In the spring of 2023, the district commissioned an audit involving Livingston’s schools. The goal? To get feedback from an outside third-party about “inclusivity and equity.”

That report was released in early December and discussed at a board of education meeting. See the results of the general audit here.

After the meeting, some Livingston residents asked for more information about special education – and alleged “retaliation” when parents complain. In response, a2z Equity Coaching prepared a follow-up addendum to the report that addressed their concerns, noting that the feedback they received from parents and other community members has not been “verified as fact.” View the full report online here.

• See Related: Special Education In Livingston Schools Put Under The Microscope

HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL UPDATE

According to school officials, the district will immediately begin the search for a new principal at the high school. There is a plan in place to ensure a “smooth transition,” administrators said.

Assistant Superintendent Mark Stern (former LHS principal) and Natalie Topylko, the district’s director of secondary education, will work with Rosenzweig and the entire high school administrative team to oversee the transition and ensure a smooth opening at Livingston High School in September, officials said.

“The district is hopeful that a new principal can be named prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year,” officials added.

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