Brick Memorial principal resigns

BY DANIELLE MEDINA
Correspondent

BRICK TOWNSHIP - Principal Robert A. Anderson has resigned, after two and a half years at the helm of Brick Memorial High School.

"Mr. Anderson resigned for personal reasons," Assistant Superintendent Walter Hrycenko said last week. "It's unclear what his plans are right now though."

Hrycenko said that he believed Anderson, who has a 55-minute commute from his home in Pennsylvania and a young family, is leaving the district so that he can work closer to home.

Anderson said when he was hired in January 2005 that he didn't mind the long commute because it gave him an opportunity to plan his day. He came to New Jersey because it provided some "unique challenges," Anderson said then.

He came to the district with over 20 years' experience as a principal. Anderson took over for longtime Principal William Dutton, who retired after 31 years of service to the district. Anderson's resignation is effective Aug. 1.

Anderson served as principal of Holmdel High School for two and a half years and was also a principal in Pennsylvania before he came to Brick Memorial.

The district has already begun the search for Anderson's replacement. But Hrycenko said that finding a high school principal is a difficult position to fill because of all of the different facets of the job.

"Besides academics, principals have a lot of other responsibilities - athletics, society issues, community service," Hrycenko said. "The buck literally stops there."

The district has received between 12 and 15 applications for the position, but Hrycenko was unable to specify how many of those were from in-district candidates.

The original application deadline was May 18, but Hrycenko said district officials decided to extend the search another week - to May 25 - to garner a few more résumés.

A principal who can communicate on a number of different levels is also vital, he said.

"Our kids today are affected with so many challenges," Hrycenko said. "Good communication between teachers, parents and kids is very important."

Anderson could not be reached for comment.