2 districts, 2 new leaders

BLAIRSTOWN TWP. | North Warren Regional School District students are about to start seeing more of Winnie the Pooh.

Between the stuffed animal and coffee mug in his office to his collection of Pooh ties, Brian Fogelson said the bear represents what he hopes to accomplish as the district's new superintendent -- building a family atmosphere.

"How stuffy can a guy be who has Pooh bears in his office?" Fogelson said from behind his desk last week. "I like having fun at what I do. If I'm not having fun, it's time to retire."

With about a month before students head back to class, Fogelson is one of two new faces in education in the township. Last month, Mark Saalfield started as superintendent at Blairstown Elementary School.

Leaders share concerns

Both superintendents praised their districts' academic records but said ongoing challenges include meeting state mandates without enough dollars coming in from Trenton. Both districts also are cramped for space to accommodate students, the superintendents said.

"Research has shown smaller class sizes leads to higher student achievement," Saalfield said in his office last week.

For Fogelson, he knew it was time to return north from Florida 13 years ago, when he found himself standing up to his waist in water during a tropical storm at Key West High School.

After leaving Florida, the Newton, N.J., native worked at Catasauqua High School in Lehigh County before becoming principal of Delaware Valley Regional High School in 2000.

Now at North Warren Regional School District, one of Fogelson's goals is to improve the school spirit within the building. A survey of the recent graduates showed students do not sense enough pride with being Patriots, the school mascot. The seventh-through-12th-grade district includes students from Blairstown, Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton townships.

Building pride a focus

Fogelson hopes students institute more spirit-oriented activities in their own clubs. One small gesture under way last week was moving the school district's trophies to the front lobby.

"We're looking at ways of bringing the Patriot more into the building," he said. "Little things like that begin to change the culture."

The school district also plans on exploring curriculum changes, including adding more honors and Advanced Placement courses as well as electives for more average students, Fogelson said. Those students need to feel more connected to the district, he said.

As the curriculum expands, the school district needs to continue to look at its facilities, Fogelson said. Voters rejected an $18.8 million referendum for building improvements last year, but the school board might want to revisit that discussion, he said.

An outsider in school

After nearly 40 years in education, Saalfield said he represents the "first outsider" at Blairstown Elementary School.

The last three superintendents all came up through the system, starting as teachers in the district. Saalfield, a Somerset County native, has spent the past seven years as an elementary school principal in Dover, N.J.

"It gives me the ability to learn about all the facets of what makes Blairstown such an exciting place," said Saalfield, who described himself as an open and collaborative leader. "It's unusual for the district, but I'm looking forward to it. I think it's important people find out who I am and how I'm going to lead."

While the school district has undergone some additions over the years, the buildings remain tight to accommodate 730 students in the coming school year, Saalfield said. According to the district's latest state report card, the average class size was 23 students. The state average was 19 students.

In addition to facility needs, Saalfield said he also is interested in expanding the district's use of technology.