Schools

BOE Promotes Middle School Principal

William Allen Middle School principal Carole Butler was selected as the district's new director of curriculum and instruction.

The Moorestown Board of Education promoted William Allen Middle School principal Carole Butler Tuesday, then named her replacement.

Butler takes over as the district's director of curriculum and instruction today, replacing Kate Burke Reilly, former assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, who retired at the end of last year. 

Butler was one of approximately 20 people—both within and outside the district—who applied for the position when the district advertised for it in December, according to Superintendent Brian Betze. Former administrator Jane LaMare has been filling in the position on a part-time basis.

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Betze said Butler was chosen because of her success at the middle school, where she's spent the last six years as principal. 

"She's very knowledgeable with our current standards," he said. "She knows the district very well."

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She'll earn a prorated salary of $144,840 effective Jan. 23, 2013 through June 30, 2013.

Butler spent the first 14 years of her career teaching special education, before becoming assistant principal in the Montgomery Township School District in Somerset County. 

As much as she enjoyed her experience at the middle school, Butler said she'd been looking to move into an administrative role that would give her the ability to "make an impact district-wide," preferably in Moorestown. 

"The hardest part, truly, is going to be not seeing the kids every day," she said. "I'm not looking forward to losing the kids. But I also don't want to miss an opportunity to stay with Moorestown and further myself ... It's definitely a step (up) for me."

Betze said having a full-time director of curriculum and instruction is critical to move the district forward. 

"It's such a key position with professional development and curriculum," he said. "We've kind of been status quo the last few months. We're piloting a new reading series, working on technology integration—a lot of those things came to a standstill (after Reilly left). It's full steam ahead with Carole now."

, before Betze was selected to replace former superintendent John Bach.

The board of education also named Matthew Keith, assistant principal at the high school, as Butler's interim replacement at the middle school. Keith will earn a prorated salary of $102,000, effective Jan. 23, 2013 through June 30, 2013.


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