Top Special Education Administrator in Ridgewood Retiring

Ridgewood's supervisor of special programs will be retiring in August after a 40-year career in Ridgewood.

Kerry Huntington has been a fixture in Ridgewood schools since 1973, working as a teacher, LDTC and supervisor of special programs. She will be retiring effective August 1, 2013.

"She is a very creative and caring educators and has brought many different special education programs to the district," Superintendent Dan Fishbein said Monday. "Kerry is a great member of our leadership team who has the respect and admiration of all her colleagues. She will be missed and difficult replace."

As supervisor of sepcial programs, Huntington oversees the basic skills instructional track programs, ESL and special education programs and services. She works closely with Pat Staab, who oversees special education.

The pair – along with others, including former RHS principal Jack Lorenz – brought an award for innovation to the district in 2011.

The S.A.I.L. (Strategic Actions and Innovations) program was developed at the high school as a way provide to provide the skills for students with special needs to become independent adults. It blends instruction and curriculum with internships, career coaching, workshops with counselor services and a heavy heaping of technology.

The district's autism programs are also well-regarded, Fishbein said.

There are roughly 900 special education students in Ridgewood, out of a student population of 5,800. Ridgewood's top school administrators are developing other programs and instruction to house more students in district.