Principal vacancy filled at Crossroads South
BY CHRIS GAETANO
Staff Writer

"I think he has the foresight and ability to take the reins from Jim Warful and move the district forward … ." - Matthew Speesler Board of Education member

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - The Board of Education appointed Raymond Tucholski to be the new principal of Crossroads South Middle School.

He will be replacing James Warful, who was selected by the board to be the new director of student services. Warful stepped in for George Scott, who left earlier this year to pursue other career goals.

Board members were confident in Tucholski's ability to head the school, since he previously served as an assistant principal there.

"I think he has the foresight and ability to take the reins from Jim Warful and move the district forward at Crossroads South, and it's nice when we're able to get someone from within who knows the school and district, and who has the vision that Ray does," board member Matthew Speesler said.

Board member Barry Nathanson echoed Speesler's comments, and added that he has a well-deserved good reputation among the students.

"Ray has been Jim's right-hand man for a long time, and I think he can do an excellent job. All we had to do is speak to the students, or former students, at South, and they'll tell you about Ray, and I think that goes to his credit and he's going to be excellent at our schools," Nathanson said.

Tucholski, who has worked at Crossroads Middle School for over 30 years, thanked the staff and said that he was confident that with their support, they could continue the things that make the school a good place to learn.

"I'm excited about this opportunity to continue work with this staff as a new principal. … The teachers, support staff, paraprofessionals and administrators each day strive to create and sustain an environment that sustains the middle-school children. They are hard-working, caring individuals, and the staff really understands the critical balance of academic, career, social and emotional development necessary for such students," Tucholski said.

"I am confident that, working collaboratively with this talented staff, we can continue to work together through future challenges that face schools today and to preserve these rich traditions that continue to make Crossroads a very, very special place," Tucholski said.