Former Ridge Teacher, Coach, Named Bernards HS Principal

Somerset Hills Schools Superintendent Pete Miller announced that following a "rigorous interview process" including 50 applicants, Scott Neigel will assume the position of Bernards High School principal on July 1, replacing current principal Suzanne Cooley.

The Somerset Hills regional school board last week appointed Neigel along with two other administrators, Shawn Kelly as assistant principal at Bernardsville Middle School and Coleen Butler as supervisor of instruction for grades K-8, Miller said.

“Scott Neigel is going to make a difference at BHS," Miller said in a statement. "Although his areas of strength are instruction, curriculum, and leadership, Scott’s biggest assets are his commitment to excellence and his dedication to students."

Neigel, who will be paid an annual $141,000, comes to BHS with social studies with a resume that includes teaching and coaching experience at in Bernards Township, Miller said.

His most recent experience and current position is as an assistant principal at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, the superintendent said.

Miller said that Neigel had undergone a rigorous interview process that included the screening 12 candidates for the position of principal and a second-level interview of six candidates with a large committee comprised of staff members, administrators, parents, and Board of Education members as well as extensive reference checks. 

A third interview was held with district leadership, and a meet and greet with the Board of Education, Miller said. "Mr. Neigel continued to rise to the top of an outstanding candidate pool at each step of the process."

Neigel attended the University of Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Masters of Teaching in Secondary Social Studies, he obtained his Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision at Rutgers University, according to information from Miller.

In his current position at Governor Livingston High School, Neigel’s responsibilities include observation and evaluation of teachers, overseeing student matters, including attendance and discipline, and supervision of all clubs and activities.

Cooley is leaving June 30 to become principal at Hunterdon Central High School, Miller said.

The board also appointed Shawn Kelly was appointed as assistant principal at Bernardsville Middle School for the 2012-2013 school year. Kelly, who will be paid $85,000, already has been a well respected social studies teacher and coach in the district for seven years, Miller said.

Kelly replaces Lynn Sharp, appointed to the position on a temporary basis earlier this year following the departure of .

Kelly has served on the committees for Section 504 and Intervention and Referral Services as well as on the anti-bullying team, Miller said. "Mr. Kelly is known as a “go to” person and an advocate for all middle school students," he said.

An additional administrative appointment for the 2012-2013 school year is the addition of a Supervisor of Instruction for Grades K-8 as of Nov. 1, Miller said.

He said that Coleen Butler, who has worked in the district since 2006, first as a reading specialist and most recently as assistant principal at the Bedwell Elementary School, will fill the new position.

Miller said the position is result of an administrative reorganization that resulted in the creation of lead counselors at the high school, allowing the reallocation of funds to create for grades K-8. Butler will be paid an annual $82,850, according to a figure from the Somerset Hills school district.

At Bedwell, in addition to many other tasks, Butler has assumed a leadership role in the implementation of recent Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights and has provided outstanding input in the area of language arts instruction and curriculum work using her reading background, Miller said.

“The Board and district administration could not be happier with these three administrative appointments. Moving forward, we will utilize the talents of two current staff members and to tap into the expertise of someone new to continue to advance our district well into the 21st century," Miller said.