Please allow me to use this forum as an introduction to both the new
superintendent and the Netcong School District Web Site. I will begin with the more
important topic, the Netcong School.
The Netcong School District is located in Western Morris County in
the borough of Netcong. The district is a one
school Pre-Kindergarten to eighth grade district with our high school age students
attending the Lenape Valley Regional High School. We
are a local community school with all students living within walking distance of the
school. Netcong Elementary School offers a
safe, student-centered atmosphere with an excellent curriculum and many student services.
We provide small class sizes, which optimize the learning process.
The district possesses an enthusiastic and motivated staff who work
together to maintain an environment conducive to academic excellence. Emphasis is placed on continual growth and
development, and the Netcong Elementary faculty takes advantage of many professional
development opportunities including workshops, seminars, conferences, and graduate
courses. Several of our teachers have received advanced degrees in the educational field. Teachers consistently look for strategies and new
instructional methodology to better meet the needs of each and every unique child at Netcong
Elementary School. These staff members provide a quality education in a safe and
supportive environment.
There is a heavy excitement about the new full day Kindergarten
program, one that has received reasonable support through additional state aid. The
district will also run its first breakfast program beginning in September.
Because of careful planning and work, the physical plant of the
school has been continually upgraded. Yet, as with any structure built long ago, that
upgrading must continue. Currently the board is in deep discussion on how to upgrade a
boiler that has been with us for a very long time. With budget caps and a realization that
local taxes need to be kept as low as possible, replacing this boiler will be a challenge
of considerable significance.
As the new interim superintendent / principal, I come to Netcong as a
thirty four year veteran educator in the State of New Jersey. Eighteen of those years were
spent as a superintendent in three different K-8 districts in the counties of Morris, Sussex,
and Hunterdon.
My philosophy of leadership centers on the concept of public service
to school, children, faculty, a board of education and a community. I am here to serve and
intend to do so with vigor and energy.
Please allow me to share a new communicative device with my office.
If one goes to http://netcongschoolblog.blogspot.com
and clicks onto “comments” you will be allowed to share opinions or ask
questions about the school, its programs, initiatives and any item of your choice. Every
time a comment is made, I am alerted via e-mail and I promise a response within twenty
four hours. Comments from parents and citizens as well as my responses are all published
as part of this blog.
My door is always open and I am sincerely hopeful that the community
feels free to visit and share. The education of young people is a gigantic responsibility
that all of us share.
Art DiBenedetto
Interim Superintendent/Principal |
