For Jennifer C. Julian, becoming principal of Gemini Elementary School in Melbourne Beach after five years as assistant principal comes with the prestige of leading one of the better schools in the state, but also with the challenge of maintaining that status despite budgetary woes.
The Fort Lauderdale native was tapped by Brevard Public Schools to replace Joseph Loffek, who is retiring July 1 after 27 years. The Gemini Parent Teacher Organization supported the appointment. “Mrs. Julian is the right person for this role not only because of her experienced leadership, but also because of her familiarity and rapport with the Melbourne Beach community,” said Taj Rothblatt, president of the PTO.
The biggest question mark is how Julian will manage the school’s declining enrollment, when most funding is doled out on a per-student basis.
Gemini has 440 students for this year and in the coming year, the figure will decline to 411 students. “A big part of that is the economy,” Julian said.
“Lots of parents lost jobs or had to relocate. It’s tougher when it comes to funding personnel allocations and the number of people you can hire.”
“It’s my responsibility to work with community members and apply for grants, and work with parent teacher organizations to help fund additional programs. We’ve had cutbacks every year and a declining budget but have not lost programs yet. Music and art are still intact,” said Julian, a 44 yearold Sebastian resident and graduate of Florida Atlantic University.
Said Rothblatt, who has three children in the school, “Coming on as principal, one of the challenges Julian may have to confront is maintaining the schools high level of excellence with declining funds and enrollment. However, I am completely confident that she will not only stand up to any challenge she is faced with, but will rise and surpass all expectations.”
Julian, who earned a Master’s from Nova Southeastern University, brings a wealth of experience in front of the classroom as a fourth-grade teacher for eight years, with stints at Port Malabar and at Gemini. “I wanted to make a greater impact for students and to support teachers,” Julian said of her switch to the administration side.
Julian had good reasons for choosing education as her calling. “It’s because of the teachers in my life who impacted me,” she said, citing a Mr. Kiffin at Rogers Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, and his mentoring and tutoring class in particular.
“I had the opportunity to work with peers and help them with school work and life problems. It’s what I really enjoyed doing as a way to make students feel special,” she said.