Carney-Ray to depart EHT for Margate Ross School

Jun, 17-2009 4:50 pm

By SUZANNE MARINO
Staff Writer

MARGATE – The Margate School District has hired a new principal for the William Ross Intermediate School, Michelle Carney-Ray. She is coming to Margate from the Egg Harbor Township School District, where she was the assistant principal of the Fernwood Avenue Middle School.

Theresa DeFranco, the incoming superintendent of the Margate School District, said Carney-Ray stood out among the many candidates who applied for the position.

“She has high level computer skills and will serve as the building principal of the Ross School and the director of special education,” said DeFranco.

The position has been vacant since the retirement of Shelly Myers in May 2008.

DeFranco said Carney-Ray was chosen from a large pool of applicants for the position. She said a committee was formed of teachers and community members who were actively involved in the screening of the initial field of candidates. The first round of interviews was videotaped, and the committee identified the top two candidates for the position.

“I interviewed both candidates along with several team members and they met informally with the president of the Board of Education,” DeFranco said.

Carney-Ray, who lives in Egg Harbor Township, is a doctoral candidate at Weidner University. She holds a master’s degree in science and education from Weidner and a master’s degree in education from Old Dominion University. She earned an undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary.

The new principal has a background in working with learning disabled students and the emotionally disturbed. She currently serves as the president of the Kappa Delta Phi honor society and is a proponent of the Jostens Renaissance character education program.

“The one thing that came through in the interviews of the candidates, when you speak with Michelle, aside from her experience and education, she brings a passion to the job and is committed to making a difference,” said DeFranco.

Carney-Ray notified Egg Harbor Township of her decision to move on to the Margate School District. She is required to give 60 days notice, which she did, but the date of her separation from Egg Harbor Township will depend on how quickly they can find someone to replace her.

DeFranco said Carney-Ray will be part of the five-year strategic plan the district is currently undertaking.

To comment on this story email

marino@catamaranmedia.com