To the Editor:

The Princeton Board of Education held its reorganization meeting on January 5, 2021, and we are pleased to welcome continuing members, Beth Behrend and Michele Tuck-Ponder, and Jean Durbin who joins us for her first term. Beth Behrend will return as Board president, joined by Dafna Kendal as vice president. Betsy Baglio, Debbie Bronfeld, Daniel Dart, Susan Kanter, Peter Katz, and Brian McDonald continue their service. 

 As we begin 2021, we remain grateful to Dr. Galasso, the administrators, teachers, and support staff for their commitment to our students and professionalism in these difficult times. Despite the hard work of more than 700 teachers and staff, we recognize that the abrupt pivot to remote/hybrid learning has been challenging for many students. We know that some are struggling, academically as well as emotionally.

The Board of Education is committed to measuring and remediating the pandemic’s impact on students. This will include summer tutorial programs and may also include new summer programs for students who have experienced learning loss. These programs, as well as activities to help students reconnect with one another, will be essential as school slowly begins to return to normal this fall.

We will also continue our work to select and welcome a new permanent superintendent to lead our district forward. The Board has spent many hours reviewing resumes and interviewing candidates and will continue with candidate interviews later this month. We look forward to updating the community as the process continues.

As we begin 2021, we are optimistic that the pandemic will abate, vaccines will become readily available, and we look forward to the time when we can welcome all students back to our buildings. The Board is committed to working together in the best interest of our students, staff, and community. We welcome your feedback and encourage you to join our meetings on Zoom and share your questions or concerns with us at our meetings or in writing.

We thank you for entrusting us with the stewardship of the Princeton Public Schools.

Princeton Board Of Education