Middletown School Board Approves New Hires, Appointments
Board members approve candidates for the 2012-2013 educational staff.
Photos
The Middletown Board of Education approved seven new additions to the educational staff as well as the appointment of two student service supervisors during their Thursday night meeting.
Stephanie DiBari was hired as a High School North mathematics teacher. DiBari will begin on Sept. 1 with annual salary of $64,875.
Cara Muratore was hired as a mathematics teacher for Thompson Middle School. Muratore will begin her position on Sept. 1 at an annual salary of $52,070.
Michele Foreback, Jessica L. Scherr and Erica M. Segal were hired as elementary school teachers. The grades these teachers will teach have yet to be decided. They will all start on Sept. 1 at an annual salary of $52,070.
Wes Tomasz Ciesla was hired as a TV Production instructor for High School North. Ciesla will begin on Sept. 1 at an annual salary of $52,070.
Nicholas Wright was hired as an English for High School North beginning on Sept. 1 at an annual salary of $52,070.
“The board has reviewed a hundred applications and we found these applicants to be the most qualified,” said Superintendent of Schools William George.
Patricia J. Piserchia was appointed to services supervisor for preschool through 5th grade at an annual salary of $124,339.
Heather A. Mills-Pevonis was appointed as services supervisor for grades 6 through 12 at annual salary of $116,096.
These appointments were met with some opposition from the board with two no’s from board members Leonora Caminiti and Board President Joan Minnuies and multiple abstentions on both of the resolutions. Including abstentions on both appointments by Vice President Christopher Aveta.
About 90 candidates applied for the two positions, Superintendent George said, but these two candidates stuck out because of their past experience and strong recommendation letters.
Piserchia is the former Director of Special Services for the Wall Township Public Schools.
While Mills-Pevonis is a board member of the Community Investment Committee at United Way of Greater Union County and a County Supervisor at New Jersey Department of Education.
"These candidates have very strong and valuable skills and overall these are two outstanding candidates," George said.
ASimon
11:48 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Why did Caminiti and Minnuies oppose the appointments? Rather odd- do they not owe the community the reasoning behind their votes?
And the "multiple" abstentions? Is it just the gutlessless of board members who don't want their names attached to the spending of ANY education money lest they be held accoutable? Why are these people even there? Can't they find a better way to enhance their resumes?
ASimon
11:51 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
The above post should have read "gutlessness" but of course if you have seen this Board of Ed in action, you probably already figured that out.
Terry
8:07 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
Really why in heavens do we need 2 more administrators making over $100,000?
NJarhead
1:26 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
Congratulations to the new educators!
Jesse
2:20 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
My question exactly Terry: why??? This is why our taxes are the highest in the nation.
Mattytas
10:49 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Seems the money being overspent is always on the administrators. I would rather see that money spent on the quality teachers. Stupid Middletown.
Jesse
2:27 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
I agree Mattytas - good teachers are worth the money. There's no need for wasting money on even more administrators. I think the Board of Ed should post full, detailed job descriptions of all their admins on their web site and let the public decide if they're really needed.
K-Paul
11:35 am on Friday, August 3, 2012
We do have a lot of administrators, yet they are constantly busy handing paperwork, disciplining students, fulfilling mandates from state and federal governments, handling complaints and issues from parents and the community, and trying to relieve the teachers of some of the bureaucracy of running one of the largest district in the state. etc. And if we go to a merit-pay system for teachers, we'll need even more administrators as there are not enough to do the observations necessary to truly evaluate the staff.
Eric Steinway
9:36 am on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
I regret ever interviewing for this district a couple of months ago and I'm so glad I found a job in northern jersey because this district has everything backwards. I just realized they hired a family member after more qualified people applied for a job. Also, they have 4 principals per building...why on earth do you need 4 principals making 120000 per building? My hs has a principal and a vp! What a waste of an interview!