School board names student services director
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - The Board of Education appointed Crossroads South Principal James Warfel to be the new director of student services for the district, replacing George Scott, who left to pursue other career goals earlier this year.

Warfel was formally appointed to his new position during the board's Monday meeting. He will oversee the district's efforts in meeting the needs for support services such as counselors and school safety programs, as well as supervising the special education program, a specialty of his.

He began his teaching career as a special education teacher at Eastern State School and Hospital in Trevose, Pa., where he taught for four years. He held a similar position and also worked as master itinerant teacher in the Upper Dublin School District in Fort Washington, Pa., for three years before moving on to Temple University, Philadelphia, to work as a teaching associate. He also received his doctorate in special education administration at Temple.

In 1979, Warfel began working as the supervisor of special education classes for Carbon-Lehigh Intermediate Unit in Schnecksville, Pa. In 1984, he joined the Northwestern Lehigh School District as the director of curriculum/assistant superintendent, a position he held until March 1999, when he took over the role of middle school principal and finished out the school year. Warfel served as a member of the adjunct faculty at Pennsylvania State University for three years before he was named principal of Crossroads Middle School in South Brunswick.

South Brunswick Superintendent of Schools Gary McCartney said that Warfel's interest and experience in special education was a big reason why he was chosen to become the new head of student services.

"Among his several stated interests and loves is special education, as well as middle schools. And so that is why he is sort of uniquely qualified to direct our student services program, because it's about the full range of students and student programs, and it's a long-standing interest of his," McCartney said.

Warfel, meanwhile, has a great deal of respect and admiration for his predecessor, saying that it is his hope that he will be able to perform his responsibilities with the same acumen that he feels Scott did in his 10 years as head of student services.

"I think I have very big shoes to fill. George was a very successful person at this job," Warfel said.

"He was very watchful over children and wonderful in working with parents, and I think he was terrific in helping to support people in crisis and trauma within the district. … I would hope to be able to provide similar kinds of support to staff and parents in the community and function in a similar way," Warfel said.

Warfel will formally begin his new job at the beginning of August, bidding Crossroads South Middle School a fond farewell. When asked what he'll miss the most about being principal there, he didn't hesitate before responding.

"The kids. My daily interaction with energetic, fun-loving young adolescents," Warfel said.