Community Corner
Hazlet's Former Lillian Drive Elementary School Principal Heads to Oceanport
Matthew Howell accepted the position of principal of the middle school.
Matthew Howell, formerly the principal at Lillian Drive elementary school in Hazlet, was officially hired by the on Thursday to work at as the new principal.
In May, Howell had been appointed assistant principal position at the Matawan Aberdeen Middle School, a school with an enrollment of 600 students.
He will likely start his position at the beginning of the school year, unless his current district decides not to relieve him of his current position before Sept. 17, the final day of his contract's terms of separation.
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Previously he served as principal, vice principal and teacher in the Millstone district. He lives in Neptune City.
Howell started his career as a language arts teacher and told Patch that he loves literature and writing. But what he really loves the most he said, is middle school education.
Find out what's happening in Holmdel-Hazletwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"I loved elementary," he said, "but I'm excited to get back into middle school."
Howell's annual salary will be $103,000.
Superintendent Andrew Orefice told the audience at the July 19 board meeting that the district received 109 applications for the position.
"Frankly, I was disappointed at the overall talent pool," he said.
Orefice said the search committee whittled down the group to 10 excellent candidates but it was Howell whom the committee chose unanimously.
"That just never happens," he said.
Accepting his new position, Howell said he could see how much Oceanport values education by the amount of parents who came out that night to support their musicians who were recognized for their recent awards at Six Flags.
"I promise to give 110 percent of my effort everyday to serve the needs of the students and the community," he said.
In that event, Orefice will serve as acting principal. The superintendent said the school will host a meet-and-greet for parents and students with Howell prior to the school year's start.
You can read a full report of the happenings of the Board of Education meeting in follow-up stories on Patch.
