SPOTSWOOD – In a unanimous vote, the Spotswood Board of Education has appointed Dale Rubino as the new principal at Spotswood High School.
The board approved the appointment on May 1.
Rubino will begin his new position on July 1. The position of principal has a salary of $127,500, according to the meeting’s agenda.
Superintendent of Schools Graham Peabody said Rubino was a Spotswood High School teacher for nine-and-a-half years. He is currently a vice principal at Sayreville War Memorial High School, a position he has held for four years.
“As a former teacher at Spotswood for many years, it is an upmost honor and privilege to have the opportunity to return to a very special town and school district. Spotswood is where I started my teaching career many years ago and it soon became my ‘home’ thanks to the amazing students, teachers, administration and Board of Education,” Rubino said. “After a few years spent away from Spotswood, working as an administrator in a neighboring district, I am humbled to be welcomed back as principal of Spotswood High School. It’s great to be home. Go Chargers.”
Rubino will replace current Spotswood High School Principal Thomas Calder, who is retiring on June 30.
“I am very excited to start the next phase of my life,” Calder said. “However, retiring and making such a decision to do so is difficult and personal. I am very fortunate to follow a career path in education, hopefully making a difference in the lives of my students. I will truly miss my students and my daily interactions with them in my 38 years; 14 in Franklin Township, seven in New Providence and the final 17 in Spotswood.”
Calder came to Spotswood in September 2001 and worked the assistant principal/director of athletics for three years. He has been the high school’s principal for 14 years.
“I have always wanted to be not only a teacher, but an administrator. I was inspired by my high school assistant principal, Peter Diskin, at Middlesex,” he said. “He is an outstanding role model and person who had the respect of his students, staff and parents. It is because of Mr. Diskin that my career path took the course it did.
Calder said he had many positive experiences and has memories he will cherish. He said hearing from his students and their success stories is what makes him happy and proud.
“I cannot be more proud or pleased that Mr. Rubino is succeeding me as the principal. Mr. Rubino taught at Spotswood High School with me for 10 years and was an outstanding educator; connecting, motivating and inspiring his students on a daily basis,” Calder said. “I also served as Mr. Rubino’s mentor and I know he has the ability, determination and drive to take the high school to an even higher level of success. I wish him all the best and congratulate him on attaining a goal of coming back to a place he cares about and wants to be at.”
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
