Not quite a year ago, Superintendent Donahue said she would not hire an assistant principal for the middle school.

I thought, then, it was wishful thinking on her part.

And so it was ...

"Middle school assistant principal position filled", Examiner, 12/06/07:

Howell, 35, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English education from Montclair State University in Upper Montclair and received a Master of Arts degree in educational leadership from Seton Hall University in South Orange.

He hails from Toms River and lives with his wife in Neptune City.

Local fella? Shyeah.

'Bout the only local-soundin' thing on 'im is 'is surn'me. Don't fool me a bit. I ain't gonna switch it around 'n' call 'im, "Mr. Neptune from Howell." Nope.

So, do they backfill the remedial teacher spot or is the school so wonderful that none of the students need remedial reading?