New administrators, school come on-line

New administrators,
school come on-line

The end of another summer means the start of a new school year for thousands of children in western Mon-mouth County elementary, middle and high schools.

It is an exciting time for youngsters who are starting their formal educational career, those who are moving up to a significant new grade, and those who are starting their final year of high school and are less than a year away from newfound independence and responsibilities.

Residents of western Mon-mouth County have chosen to make education the No. 1 priority in their communities.

Despite all of the coverage that municipal matters receive in the local media, we believe residents pay the most attention to what is happening in their children’s schools.

Administrators in some districts have made significant efforts in the past few years to foster relationships with groups that have heretofore been ignored — the business community and senior citizens. Giving these groups a stake in what happens in classrooms is an important way of ensuring the vitality and success of our schools districts. We encourage more outreach in those areas.

The start of another school year brings change to several local districts.

The Colts Neck district is welcoming a new superintendent of schools, Richard M. Fitz-patrick, and the Freehold Bor-ough district has a new principal, Nelson Ribon, in place at the Freehold Intermediate School. Both educators will work to earn the support of the communities they serve.

A tradition will be kept alive in Freehold Township as a new West Freehold School opens and becomes the third building in this section of the municipality to be so named.

The first West Freehold School was a one-room building constructed on Wemrock Road in the mid-19th century. It is now a historic landmark and a reminder of how far education has progressed. The second West Freehold School was built on Route 537 at Stillwells Corner Road in the 1930s and served the district until June. It is expected to be renamed and used by preschool children and youngsters with special needs.

At the beginning of another enlightening, exciting educational year, we wish teachers, students, administrators and school personnel the best for a successful term.