New principal hired for Hardyston

Hardyston — After a tumultuous summer without a permanent principal, the Hardyston Township Elementary School will soon have a new person in charge. John Brennan, who is currently the principal of Wanaque Elementary School, was unanimously approved as the new principal at the Hardyston Board of Education meeting, Oct. 9. Brennan, who currently lives in Clark, will not come into the position until Dec. 10, due to contract constraints from his current position. Hardyston will pay him an annual salary of $95,000. Brennan is in his second year as Wanaque principal. He said he wants to come to Hardyston because, “Hardyston is a better opportunity. The school system has more programs for kids.” He also said the variety of programs at Harydston lead to a more supportive environment for education. He had previously worked in the Verona school district and at the Wardlaw-Hartridge School, a private school in Edison. Brennan also has an extensive history of involvement with athletics, having served as the head coach of the cross-country teams at Felician College in Lodi for the past five years. He was also the head basketball, cross-country and track and field coach at Verona High School. In 1999-2000, Verona won the Girls State sectional in cross-country and outdoor track, both for the first time in school history. He had worked in the Verona school district as a social studies teacher and then became middle school assistant principal. Brennan has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in administration, both from Montclair State University.