New Brick Memorial principal is back 'home'
Board of Ed. taps Richard V. Caldes to serve in top spot
BY DANIELLE MEDINA
Correspondent

Board of Education members have picked someone with long-standing ties to the school district to serve as the new principal of Brick Memorial High School.

Richard V. Caldes, who spent the last two years as principal of New Egypt High School, will replace Robert A. Anderson as principal of Brick Memorial.

Caldes grew up in Brick and began his career in Brick. He spent 15 years in the school district as a teacher, guidance counselor and department head of guidance at Brick Township High School.

Caldes also was the head coach of the girls basketball team for 10 years and served as an assistant football coach under Warren Wolf for 17 years.

"This is home for me and I'm looking forward to coming back," Caldes said at the July 12 board meeting. "One of the nice things is that after being in Brick and leaving, you realize how good this town is when you return."

Prior to his stint in New Egypt, Caldes spent four years as the assistant principal and athletic director at Point Pleasant Beach High School.

Caldes earned a bachelor's degree from Richard Stockton State College, a master's degree from Georgian Court University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University, Washington, D.C.

Caldes succeeds Robert A. Anderson, who resigned as BMHS's principal in June after a little less than three years on the job.

Caldes, who will be paid $118,163 annually, will earn a prorated salary of $93,054 for the 2007-08 school year. His first day at BMHS is expected to be on or around Sept.1.

"Mr. Caldes is a self-starter, well-organized and a people person," said Interim Superintendent Melindo A. Persi. "This state is very small and he got a very high recommendation from the other people we talked to."

Board members voted 5 to 0 to approve Caldes' hiring. Board member Virginia Reinhold abstained from the vote because she wasn't present at the meeting when Caldes was hired. Board member Daniel Rosa was not present at the special meeting.

Board members also voted 6 to 0 to hire James W. Edwards Jr., certified public accountant, to serve as the district's new permanent business administrator/board secretary.

Edwards, who is a graduate of Richard Stockton State College, has held the same positions for the Plumsted Township Board of Education since 1999.

"I've had a good run in Plumsted and I'm excited about the challenges in Brick," said Edwards, who brought his wife, Jennifer, and three young children to the meeting.

Edwards helped Plumsted withdraw from the Upper Freehold Regional (Allentown) High School district and oversaw a number of construction projects including: the building of a new middle school; the conversion of the existing middle school to a high school; the building of a new primary school; and major renovations/refurbishments to the district's elementary school, according to his résumé.

Edwards is the first vice president of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials and has served as president of the Ocean County Association of School Business Officials and numerous other statewide committees.

"He is highly regarded in the business area and he has a bright future," Persi said.

Edwards will take over for Persi, who has been serving as the district's interim business administrator since November. The district's last permanent business administrator was Nicholas C. Puleio who resigned the post after he was appointed to be the state financial monitor for Camden's schools.

Edwards, who resides in Whiting, will earn $150,000 annually, but will receive a prorated salary of $118,125 for the 2007-08 school year. His hiring is effective on or before Sept. 13.