City middle school gets new principal

Published December 23rd, 2006 in Home News Tribune

By: RICHARD KHAVKINE

Diaz, 34, was hired after the city's Board of Education interviewed him and two other candidates Tuesday night. Diaz will begin his tenure at the 1001-student school following the filing of a 60-day notice of separation with the Union City School District. That notice is contingent on successful salary negotiations, which are ongoing, according to both Diaz and Superintendent Richard Kaplan.

Kaplan said he recommended that the board hire Diaz based on several factors.

"He possesses the education, training and experience" to lead the Livingston Avenue school, said Kaplan, who added that Diaz had "excellent" references. "He was well recommended by the officials I spoke with."

Diaz, who is bilingual, has been teaching for eight years. He completed a master's degree in educational administration from Kean University this summer and holds a bachelor's in administration of justice from Rutgers. He is certified in elementary education and in English as a Second Language. He also has a certificate in criminology and worked as an investigator for New York City's Law Division after graduation from Rutgers.

Diaz was selected from among an initial pool of 60 applicants, including eight internal candidates, Kaplan said.

Like New Brunswick, Union is an Abbott school district.

"It's my short-term goal to move out of the classroom and into administration," Diaz said Thursday.

Diaz, who was born and raised in Hudson County, said that his dual commitments to Carteret government and New Brunswick schools would not wear him out.

"I completed a master's in one year, summer to summer, while serving as a council member, teaching full time, coaching wrestling and having two children, 3 and 4," he said. "Time for me is not an issue. I will dedicate as much time as necessary to get the job done."

Michael Derczl, who is not a permanent staff member of the district, remains interim principal for the time being. Derczl earlier this year succeeded longtime principal and educator Hector Ramon Villafane.

Back to News

Printer-Friendly Version