The Week Ahead In and Around Middletown

Find out what is going on in Middletown the week of August 20 through August 24.

Government Meetings The Middletown Township Committee will meet on August 6 at 8 p.m. for their regularly scheduled workshop. The meeting will be held in the main meeting room of the Middletown Township Municipal Building. To see what will be discussed at this meeting, click here. Mayor Anthony Fiore will hold office hours at Town Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on August 20. No appointments are necessary. Residents are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis to discuss any concerns or issues they may have related to township government. Residents are invited contact the Mayor's office any time at (732) 615-2024. The Middletown Township Board of Education will meet Tuesday, August 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the library at Middletown High School …

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Letter to the Editor: New English Teacher Was Hired Based on Merit

Board of Education member Vincent Brand responds to criticism by some readers on Patch regarding the hiring of a new teacher whose mother works in district administration.

  I have read with regret the many postings regarding the hiring of Ms. Walker.  Here is my response to those criticisms. There are no questions as to the propriety of the process.  The Superintendent of Schools conducted an interview process and the best candidate for the job was chosen.   As it happens, this candidate has a relative, her mother, also working in the Middletown Schools.  The process involved did not involve Mary Ellen Walker, who is our Director of Operations, not the "curriculum of instructors", whatever that may be.   As the Director of Operations, Mrs. Walker was not a member of the interview committee nor was she involved in any way in making this recommendation.   It appears that the person who called this process …

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JasperRam

8:58 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012

Children of Teachers tend to be excellent teachers over history. I would consider it a positive even if the parent did not teach in Middletown.   more ›

Now and Then

School Daze: A Board of Ed Embattled

A look back at the Middletown school district 100 years ago, when there was a cooperative spirit, and now, when the spirit of compromise has been compromised

Considering all of the controversy last week over the demotion of Middletown High School South’s popular principal, Dr. Anthony Shallop, it was interesting to note that 100 years ago, on July 12, 1911, the Middletown Board of Education held its first discussion about building a high school in town and it was a cooperative, calm one, between parents, pupils and the board, by all accounts in the Red Bank Register archives. It was, at least, an indication that they worked much better together then than today. Not only did they agree to build a high school, residents also stepped forward to provide free construction services and summer vacation recreation. Now there are wranglings with state aid funding and competitive contracts and bids. …

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BOE Reorg: New Members Sworn in; Back to Business

Four new members; new president; other matters at hand

Last night's Middletown Township Board of Education reorganization meeting brought a new president, vice president and four new members to the dais. Then appointments were made and business was conducted. Three new Middletown Board of Education members were sworn in at the Middletown High School North auditorium for three-year terms, and one new member was sworn in to serve the unexpired one-year term of Dan Skelton. The four new members got  down to business, alongside the five other BOE members, and approved appointments of attorneys, architects, school physicians and contractors. John Macrae, Bob Banta and Gerry Wexelberg stood beside Board Secretary/Administrator Amy Gallagher and took the oath to serve for three-year terms on the …

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Board of Education Election Round-up: What's at Stake

A $144 million budget and nine candidates for four board of ed seats face voters at the polls

Middletown Township Schools’ Interim Superintendent Thomas Pagano made a voter approval plea when the $144 million 2011-12 district budget was approved by the Board of Education in March. He spoke of what would be at stake and in voters’ hands today, schools election day. Speaking of a usual low voter turnout for board elections, Pagano reminded the March budget public hearing audience that "tonight, this budget belongs to the Board of Education. After tonight, this budget belongs to you and the (rest of the) residents of Middletown. After the election (if the budget is voted down), the budget belongs to the township … Education is my business. It should be your business, too.” He explained state protocol that if the budget is voted down …

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Three BOE Candidates Seek One-Year Term

The three vying to fill a lone one-year seat stress immediate issues

On April 27, voters will decide the fate of a $144 million 2011-12 Middletown Board of Education budget, that will mean a tax hike of roughly $65 a year for the average property owner, and who of six board candidates will fill the three open three-year seats on the nine-member dais. Another vote that will be taken at the polls this year is one to elect one of the three candidates to fill the unexpired term left by Dan Skelton, who resigned earlier this year. The three candidates vying the fill that sole open one-year unexpired term have cited immediate challenges facing the district that each is eager to tackle. One looming decision — the hiring of a new superintendent for the district — was pinpointed by all three as a critical issue this…

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Roy Draper

11:44 am on Monday, April 25, 2011

whoops! Middletown.   more ›

Understanding Spending: Last Two BOE Budget Reviews on Tap Today

Until the vote is taken, superintendent, administrator outline budget specifics to public

It’s been a few weeks since the Middletown Township Board of Education conducted a public hearing for and adopted its $144 million 2011-2012 budget.  It was also that March 23 meeting when, on his proclaimed 38th day as interim superintendent of the one of the largest school districts in the state, Thomas Pagano, announced that especially since he would not be around next year, he feared no retribution from the public for what he deemed a solid, productive budget. So, Pagano and Administrator/Board Secretary Amy Gallagher committed to taking their budget show on the road. In addition to the official presentation and subsequent public hearing on March 23, as an extra educational measure, the two are hosting budget information sessions in …

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A Great Race: More Money to Help Middletown's Schools

Event earned Middletown Village School recognition and money for PFA initiatives

A check for $8,510 was recently presented to the Middletown Village School's Parent-Faculty Association from the Great Race organization, recognizing the school for its exceptional participation among the district's elementary schools in this year's fundraiser. Joan Minnues, a member of the Middletown Township Board of Education, presented the check on behalf of the Middletown Township Public Schools Education Foundation. Pictured are (left to right) Middletown Village Elementary School Parent-Faculty Association co-presidents Rosanne Mazza and Carol Farina, Principal Karen Zupancic and Great Race co-coordinator Maria Cardeno. Middletown Elementary Village School has won the district-wide elementary school Great Race participation …

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Want to Become a Board of Ed Candidate? Get Busy

Board of Ed candidate apps due in district administration offices tomorrow, March 8

It’s last call for Board of Education nominating petitions. The paperwork must be in tomorrow, March 8, if you want to be considered for a run as a board member. “In Middletown, we have had contested elections the past few years, including seven candidates running for three open seats last year,” Middletown Board of Education President Michael Donlon said.  “This year, there are three 3-year seats up for election.  Those seats are currently held by Laura Agin, Kevin Ryan and Rose Stallmeyer.” The nine-member board is currently comprised of: Donlon, president, Vincent Brand, (newly appointed) vice president, Laura gin, Christopher Aveta, Michael Mascone, Joan Minnuies, Kevin Ryan and Rose Stallmayer.  Brand replaced recently resigned member…

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Middletown superintendent exits with pre-budget changes on administrative agenda

Three Board of Education members vote against the move, but do not prevail

It was Middletown Schools Superintendent Karen Bilbao’s last Board of Education meeting recently when the outgoing superintendent proposed some sweeping pre-budget staffing alterations. The timing was not right for some board members and the motive for the sudden changes, which excluded elementary schools, were questioned. “I find it ironic,” said Minnuies, “that now that you’re leaving, we can suddenly do without.” She expressed concern that Facendo’s transfer out of the board’s central office “leaves the district empty at the top.” That, she said, coupled with the pre-budget time prospect of an interim superintendent coming on board puts the district at a distinct disadvantage at a very tenuous time in the school year.  “I feel this is …

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