Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — NEWFANE –– Newfane Middle School will have an assistant principal after all.

Board of Education members Tuesday voiced their support of filling the position, which had been vacated by Pamela Leibring when she was appointed principal at Newfane Elementary. Leibring began her new post Sept. 1.

Discussion about the position started last month with Leibring’s appointment. Board members had the option of combining the assistant principal job with the director of special education. But there was concern how the absence of the assistant principal would affect the students.

Trustee Frank Westgate presented his colleagues with information comparing Newfane with other Western New York school districts in administration efficiency. Newfane has roughly 1,800 students and nine administrators, counting the middle school assistant principal. Business First ranked Newfane 28th in efficiency out of 98 school districts.

“So we’re not out of line,” Westgate said.

Superintendent Christine J. Tibbetts will begin interviewing for the position this month. A hiring recommendation is expected to be made by the last board meeting in October or the first in November, the superintendent said. The position had been included in the district’s 2012-13 budget.

A couple of parents spoke up Tuesday in favor of keeping the assistant principal. Resident Michael Murray even wrote a letter to the board in favor of filling the AP post.

“I think it would be a disservice to the children to not fill it,” he said.

In other district news, Tibbetts reported to board members Newfane had been named one of three local districts to receive a grant from the state education department. The grant will give the district a total of $1.2 million over three years to implement AVID, Apex online academic support and adding advanced placement courses.

The assistant principal at the middle school would be heavily involved with the school’s AVID program. The Advancement Via Individual Determination program aims to improve college readiness for students who may struggle academically. This is done by helping students develop the habits and skills needed to succeed through unique and innovative ways.

AVID was a major part of Leibring’s job last year, which is when the program was introduced.