New Principal of High Technology HS Comes From Holmdel District

This story was updated with additional information on June 28 at 1 p.m.

Holmdel High School Assistant Principal Kevin Bals has been tapped as the new principal of High Tech High in Lincroft, a specialized pre-engineering career academy in the Monmouth County Vocational School District located in Lincroft.

Bals was approved by the Monmouth County Board of Education on June 19 to serve as HTHS principal starting July 1, at an annual salary of $126,000. The Holmdel Board of Education officially accepted his resignation on Wednesday.

Bals will replace Principal Daniel Simon Sr., who left High Tech after a decade of service to be the Wall Township superintendent of schools.

"I'm humbled and I'm honored," said Bals on Thursday. "I have always had a desire to be a principal, and there are no openings in Holmdel for the foreseeable future. I have a background in technology and math, and I knew High Tech would be a good match for me, and them.

At Holmdel High, Bals served four years as assistant principal as well as World Language Supervisor, where he was instrumental in facilitating a language learning laboratory donated by the Holmdel Foundation for Educational Excellence (HFEE).

Prior to coming to Holmdel, he worked for one year as a math superviser in Colts Neck High School, a teacher of math and Director of Technology at Rumson-Fair Haven, and a teacher of math at Wall Township schools. He also has experience teaching computer science and computer applications at Wall and Rumson.

He has a Masters in Eduational Leadership from Farleigh Dickenson University, graduate level certification in Instructional Technology from Georgian Court, and a BA in Mathematics from Kings College in NY.

"We couldn’t be happier for Kevin; Hi-Tech is getting a terrific administrator and an even better man," said Holmdel Principal William Loughran in an email Wednesday evening. "His appointment is well-deserved, and well-earned."

Bals, 51, is a resident of Bricktown and the father of four children ages 18, 15, 14, and 7. He enjoys learning about new technologies -- his current obsession is understanding the power of the iPhone and how it can be used in the classroom. When he disconnects, he enjoys a long bike ride by the Jersey shore and spending time with family. 

High Tech is located on the campus of Brookdale Community College and is one of five highly competitive career academies in the county's vo-tech system. The district spent $21,927 in 2011 to educate each of its high achieving 290 students.

In 2011-2012, 41 Holmdel students were enrolled at High Tech, which was ranked No. 1 in the country in U.S. News's annual list of best high schools for science, technology, engineering and math.