New faces, new jobs

District names new superintendent, two move up to new roles Vernon — There will be a new face around the Vernon Township School District next year, and two familiar ones will be in new places by September. Dr. John B. Alfieri has been selected as the new district superintendent, filling the shoes of Anthony Macerino, who will retire this year. “Thank you for putting your faith in me,” said Alfieri. “Judging by the man in the chair now you have very high expectations. I hope to meet them.” Alfieri is currently the Superintendent of Schools in Clinton Township, but his career has taken him throughout the state. He started out as a math and Spanish teacher and moved up to his first administrative job as the Assistant Principal at the Alpine School in Sparta in 1996. Since then, he’s been a principal in Millburn and West Orange. “In a very short time, our educational family and the community at large will understand and appreciate why we felt John was the obvious choice to take over Tony’s responsibilities,” said Board president Howard J. Whidden. “I am confident everyone will extend a warm welcome to him and his family and work with him as he guides Vernon’s schools in new directions.” Macerino is also confident that his replacement will do well. “I am totally impressed by Dr. Alfieri. He knows what’s necessary to be a good school leader.” Alfieri starts his new job once contract negotiations are complete and approved by the state Department of Education. Taking the helm at Glen Meadow Glen Meadow Middle School is also getting a new leader. Rosemary Gebhart moves up to the position of principal. Gebhart, who is currently assistant principal at Glen Meadow, is a Vernon product. She graduated from Vernon Township High in 1980 and returned to the district as a teacher in 1985. She replaces Dr. Carol Nelson, who is retiring this year. “I have very big shoes to fill. Dr. Nelson has been wonderful, and I’m almost not ready for her to go yet,” Gebhart said. “I’m going to take all of the little seeds that Carol planted and help them to grow.” Gebhart herself was highly praised by Whidden. He was one of her teachers when she was a Vernon student. “Totally dedicated to her studies and driven to reach her full potential, she was one of our top scholars, but more importantly, she was a wonderful well-rounded individual who was respected and liked by everyone. Rosemary Gebhart knows how highly I still regard her and tonight I couldn’t be more proud, knowing she will be the next principal of Glen Meadow Middle School.” The position left vacant by Gebhart’s promotion will be filled by someone whom Whidden described as a “rising star among so many great teachers in our school system.” Vernon Township High School English teacher Kyle Arlington will step up to the post of assistant principal. Arlington, who came to the district in 2002, worked in the Wayne Public Schools and at DePaul High School prior to his post in Vernon.