District Talks Guidance, Principal Plans

Officials at the Katonah-Lewisboro Schools are recommending the interim director of guidance be appointed to director of guidance on probationary terms, and that the interim principal at John Jay High School be reappointed.

The district announced the recommendations, which are made to the board of education, in a press release Wednesday morning.

“Ms. Merlino has been an excellent fit for our guidance department,” Superintendent Dr. Paul Kreutzer said in a statement. “She has made valuable contributions to our students and staff during her time in the district this year, and we look forward to having her become a more permanent member of our administrative team.”

Before arriving at Katonah-Lewisboro last summer, Merlino worked at Millbrook Central School District, where she served as interim assistant principal at the high school. Her earlier roles in education, according to the release, include director of guidance, at-risk and health services in the Hyde Park Central School District, school counselor at Van Wyck Junior High School in the Wappinger’s Central School District and student support services coordinator at the Mid-Hudson Regional Information Center—Ulster BOCES.

The decision to keep Goetz in his current position as interim principal comes after a search that did not yield any candidates the district "felt confident recommending to the board" for a full-time role.

“With that in mind, we will redouble our efforts in the new school year with the expectation that a permanent principal will be appointed by September of 2014," Kreutzer said. "We are grateful for Mr. Goetz's excellent work over the past year and very pleased that he will be able to assist us by staying on for an additional year—we are lucky to have Mr. Goetz at John Jay High School."

Goetz also came here last summer. He's been in leadership roles in education since 1985, in both Connecticut and New York. His past long-term principal positions have taken him to Orville H. Platt High School and Danbury High School. His experience as an interim principal includes time at Mamaroneck High School and Stamford High School. Goetz also worked for Brookfield Public Schools as superintendent, and Monroe Public Schools as interim superintendent.