EAST HANOVER, NJ -A group of East Hanover parents and residents is raising concerns over a proposed district-wide administrative restructuring that would shift all school principals from their current buildings ahead of the upcoming school year.
According to community members, Natalee Bartlett, superintendent of the East Hanover School District, has recommended to the East Hanover Board of Education that every building principal be reassigned to a different school. The proposed changes would coincide with another major transition planned for September: the movement of fifth-grade students into the middle school.
Parents say that would mean current fourth graders entering middle school next fall while simultaneously adjusting to new building leadership across the district.
Residents opposing the plan describe the proposal as unprecedented and high-risk, particularly given the district’s current challenges, including redevelopment, rising enrollment, and overcrowding. They argue that changing leadership in every school at the same time could disrupt daily operations and undermine stability during a period of growth.
Community members note that research and best practices typically caution against widespread leadership changes unless tied to new school openings, expanded administrative staffing, or documented performance concerns. They warn that even a single principal transition can be disruptive—and that district-wide changes could amplify those risks.
Among the concerns cited by parents and residents are the potential loss of institutional knowledge, administrative and scheduling errors, declines in teacher morale and retention, disruptions to instructional programs, and possible academic regression for students lasting one to two years.
“Experienced principals who know their buildings, staff, and students are critical during times of transition,” residents said, adding that trust built over years cannot be quickly replaced. Opponents argue that moving all principals simultaneously effectively turns schools into a “social experiment,” with students bearing the consequences if the transition does not succeed.
In response, residents are urging the Board of Education to pause the proposed reorganization, keep principals in their current schools, and engage the community more transparently before making any final decisions.
To formally document community opposition, parents, residents, and taxpayers have launched a petition calling on the board to reconsider the proposal. Organizers say the petition will be submitted for inclusion in the official public record.
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