Watchung Hills OKs $12.5M For Construction, Warren Schools to Receive $2M, Top 2013 School News

Warren Township Education Foundation Starting Up Again in January

The revival of the Warren Township Education Foundation is ahead for 2014, in an initiative that promises to bring the community together and raise valuable funds for Warren Township schools.

$2M Construction Grants Awarded to Warren Schools

the Warren Township School District this month announced the receipt of an award for more than $2 million in grants from the New Jersey Department of Education for seven districtwide construction projects, including window and boiler replacements and other work on township school buildings. Schools Superintendent Tami Crader said the state amount will pay for 40 percent of costs. She said the district already has set aside the other 60 percent, and the construction will not increase local school taxes.

Watchung Hills HS Reimbursed for Nearly All Sandy Costs

In October 2012, Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc at Watchung Hills Regional High School, knocking down a wall, blowing off roofing and damaging the auditorium and a gym. But the good news, as reported about a month ago by Watchung Hills School Board Member Gerry Binder, is that nearly all of the $1.4-million worth of damage will be covered by the school district's insurance coverage.

Watchung Hills HS Referendum Officially Passes

In September, official results came in from Warren, Long Hill and Watchung as 1,160 to 663 votes to approve a referendum that asked for a $7.5 million taxpayer contribution which, when combined with $5 million in state aid, will allocate $12.5 million for repair projects at Watchung Hills Regional High School. The capital improvements include a new roof, replacement of non-working ventilating systems and — on the top of the list — replacing steam pipes more than a half-century old that school officials said have been malfunctioning.

Watchung Hills Physical Ed Supervisor Retiring After 35 Years

Mario Diez, supervisor of the Physical Education/Health department at Watchung Hills Regional High School officially retires after 35 years at the end of December. Diez not only has shaped Watchung Hills’ physical education program, but is known in wider circles as a winning baseball coach, who has led Hills teams to significant championships: seven at the  (Skyland) Conference level; four at the Somerset County Tournament of Champions; and three on the state level.

Warren Schools Re-Examine Fundraising Policies

Complaints about some students left out of fun events at a fundraiser at Woodland School because they did not contribute enough to the project led the Warren Township Board of Education to look again to make sure grade school fundraisers are not unfair to those who can't contribute as much.

New Superintendent Calls First Day at Watchung Hills 'Fabulous'

Watchung Hills High School's new superintendent, Elizabeth Jewett, started her new job with enthusiasm last summer. 
Jewett stepped into the post after she was appointed superintendent in May following a search by Hazard, Young and Associates' William Librera and Dwight Pfennig to find a replacement for Frances Stromsland. 

Warren Board Renews Superintendent's Contract

After being named superintendent of Warren schools in 2010, former Branchburg administrator Tami Crader dove into her new district with a number of initiatives, and she was reappointed for another three years in June.

Warren Middle School's Will DeGrande Wins NJ Geo Bee Contest

After his third attempt, Will DiGrande, representing Warren Middle School, won the New Jersey State Geography Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek, on April 5. In the Championship round, the winning answer had to do with “Niagara on the Lake,” and what Canadian province it is in. Funny thing, Will had just spent a day in Niagara on the Lake the week before, during Spring Break.

Write-Ins Win Spots on Warren Township School Board, Official Results Confirm

After there weren't enough candidates to list on the ballot, the election race for Warren Township's school board for a while became a contested race, with three write-ins competing for two seats, along with incumbent James Sena. Write-in candidates Celeste Campos and Lisa DiMaggio will join incumbent Sena in January. Shortly before the election, the school board had selected Len DeMontagnac as a board member for an unexpired term, adding another new member to the board.

Fallon, Morrison Elected to Watchung Hills School Board 

Former Watchung Hills HS Board Member Peter Fallon, along with Robert Morrison, who had campaigned vigorously and consistently attended meetings, both beat out a third candidate for two spots on the Watchung Hills school board in the November election.