Babylon School Board Approves New Elementary Principal

The Babylon School District Board of Education unanimously approved a new probationary principal of the Babylon Elementary School, effective July 1, 2013, during a public meeting on Monday evening.

The board voted to hire Jessica Kemler, who has spent the last five years as an assistant principal at Public School 182 in Jamaica, Queens. Kemler will start in the district with a yearly salary of $125,000.

Kemler's appointment fills a vacancy created by the coming departure of current Babylon Elementary principal Dana Basile, who announced her resignation in April.

"Jessica is coming from a large and busy school," noted Richard Rozakis, Superintendent of Babylon Schools. "But we've heard nothing but wonderful feedback."

Rozakis said the new principal will be visiting the faculty and students within the next few weeks to learn the ins-and-out of the school.

"Thank you for this amazing opportunity," Kemler said at the meeting. "I'm looking forward to becoming a part of your family here."

Basile, also in attendance for the meeting, assured the board and Kemler she would help make the transition as smooth as possible.

"My fingerprints will be all over the process," Basile said. "We will be talking a lot over the next few weeks to make sure it is a smooth process for everybody."

Babylon School District also recently announced the resignation of Babylon Grade School principal Dr. Randee Bonagura, who accepted a position at Wantagh Elementary School. The board is currently exploring options to fill her position.