Mackie Introduced as Triton Interim Principal

Superintendent John Golden introduced Triton High School's interim principal to the community during the Black Horse Pike Regional School District (BHPRSD) Board of Education meeting Thursday night.

The board approved Daniel Mackie as Triton's interim principal during a special meeting on Nov. 5.

Mackie's first day on the job will likely come next week, just before the short Thanksgiving break. He is still awaiting clearance from the state Department of Education following the completion of a background check.

"It should be here any day now," he told Patch at the conclusion of Thursday's meeting, which was held in the Triton library.

Mackie, a Gloucester Township resident, is to fill the void created when principal Catherine DePaul was suspended in early October.

The principal at Woodbury High School from 2000 through 2006, Mackie also served as vice principal at Haddonfield Memorial and Absegami high schools during his career.

Mackie comes to Triton with some experience working in an interim capacity. He served as interim principal at Lindenwold Middle School to close the 2011-12 school year, and previously was interim principal at Lindenwold High School.

DePaul was suspended Oct. 3, one day before she was charged with covering up information regarding teacher-student sexual relationships during the 2011-12 school year. Four other educators, including three teachers and a vice principal, were charged in connection with the teacher-student sex case.

Mackie met with Triton's faculty for the first time on Wednesday.

He recognizes he comes to the school under "trying times."

"I provided the faculty (during Wednesday's meeting) with an opportunity to share what they were currently feeling and thinking. We had a very good discussion in that regard. And I think that's helpful, whenever we're able to talk as a family and express what it is that we've experienced and what we look forward to," he said. "My focus is on this: The hardship is there, (but) time will heal it, and there's a lot to celebrate, and let's look toward a bright future."

"There's a lot to be proud of here, and we need to focus back on those things," he added.

While only an interim position, this is more than a short-term gig for the longtime educator. Mackie is a 1966 Triton graduate.

"It's a homecoming for me. The other day I took a tour of the building. A lot changed. It's a very nice building. But there's a lot of places here I had been in when I was 15, 16, 17 years old," he said. "And, so, it took me back to friendship and my teachers and what Triton has to offer. Walking the hallways now as principal is a very special feeling."

BHPRSD will pay Mackie $450 per day on a month-to-month basis. He will not be paid for holidays for which the Black Horse Pike schools are closed.