Schools
Ex-School 1 Principal Kristine Cecere Leaving for Franklin Lakes Gig
Cecere has accepted the role as Woodside Elementary School principal, about a year after she was demoted to a classroom teacher in Fort Lee
A Lewis Cole Middle School teacher who last year was demoted from her role as principal of School 1 has accepted a job as an elementary school principal in Franklin Lakes.
Kristine Cecere accepted the vacant principal's position at Franklin Lakes' Woodside Elementary School Wednesday night. Cecere, who led School 1 for two years before being demoted to the role of classroom teacher at Lewis Cole Middle School, will receive $126,759 at her new gig.
"This is a phenomenal opportunity," Cecere told Patch. "I'm really sincere when I say I'm looking for a home here."
Her brief tenure as the leader of School 1 in Fort Lee was anything but smooth.
Although test scores rose and state AYP goals were met during her first year as principal, the Fort Lee school board initially elected to not renew her contract, later discovered to be over unspecified credential issues. She remained for the 2011-2012 school year as principal.
The following school year, school board members took up then-superintendent Stephen Engravalle's recommendation that her contract for a third year not be renewed. Engravalle declined to publicly state the reason for her demotion, calling it a "confidential" personnel matter.
Per contract, Cecere must provide 60 days notice before taking over in Franklin Lakes. She told Patch she intends to negotiate with Fort Lee officials to begin earlier at Woodside Elementary School.
Devin McGinley contributed to this report.
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