By Lois Staas
News Correspondent
Lifelong Bellmawr resident and product of the town\’s school system, Frank Lynch, asked many pointed questions at the district meeting concerning the sudden resignation of former Superintendent Deborah Monahan.
During the second public portion of the meeting, Lynch asked about Monahan\’s doctorate and how she was hired.
The board reassured everyone that Monahan was certificated. Board President Ron Henry recalled that at the time of the hiring process six of the sitting board members had less than four years of experience. A consultant was hired at $5,000 to help with the search.
The New Jersey School Board Association assisted with the search and did the background check for certification. (The board, itself, is conducting the current search).
Mr. Lynch requested the salaries of the former superintendent as well as Mr. Timothy Bell, who had been superintendent prior to Monahan. Lynch also inquired if Bell held a doctorate, if Monahan earned more than Bell.
Henry replied that Mr. Bell had the higher salary having worked within the district as teacher, principal, and superintendent for forty years.
Business Administrator-/Board Secretary Bruce Finkle responded that the figures were not readily at hand, but that he would give them to Mr. Lynch the next day.
Lynch pressed the board for information about Monahan\’s doctorate. To this Board Solicitor John Wade replied that confidentially laws dealing with employees and personnel would not allow public discussion. The Board did contact the County Superintendent, received instructions, and acted accordingly.
\”In my opinion, somebody owes you guys\’ money,\” Lynch said. \”You got beat. You got ripped off. What are you doing about it?\” Lynch continued.
\”We have asked about it,\” Henry replied. \”I would rather see the money in the borough than in the county, what are you offering the interviewees?\” asked Lynch. \”That is negotiated. Our offer is undecided as yet,\” commented Henry.
Councilman Jim D\’Angelo was also present. \”In the Board\’s defense sometimes you get burned. They had to trust the New Jersey School Boards Association. They did the clearing. They did this to us.\” D\’Angelo said on a final not Frank Lynch requested the cost of the Bellmawr Pride newsletter. During committee reports Board Member Betty Sheppard related that the Negotiations Committee had met on February 26, and future dates would be announced.
As for the Summer Reading Program, Board member Jody Mangus reminded everyone that at the end of March a letter would go out to all parents inviting them to meet and give their input to the committee.
Bruce Finkle reported that not all of the State Aid that Bellmawr is designated to receive is unrestricted. A-bout $207,000 is for the expansion of the Early Childhood Program.
\”This is no tax relief for Bellmawr. There are a lot of strings attached,\” Finkle said.
Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli publicly thanked Counselor Lorraine Gancher for the successful registration of eighth grade students to Triton Regional High School. Farinelli also thanked Coaches Leary and Maz-zuca, Ms. Holt, and Mr. Duus for their work on the Boys and Girls 3 on 3 Fundraiser.
Olympic Conference Honors Band members were lauded: Stephanie Andrews, grade 8; Mrs. Sally Kolody, Director; Jessica Kolody, Courtney Clark, Valentina Bragg, and Matthew Flager-Triton Regional.
Kirandeep Mand, nominated by Mrs. Burns, will receive the Enthusiastic Reader Award in Trenton.
GEPA and NJ ASK tutoring are presently going on. \”Students are ready to go. The teachers have done a great job in preparing them for the test,\” Farinelli said.
Acting Superintendent and Bellmawr Park Principal Elizabeth A. Calabria gave, \”a special thank you to Mr. Dale Lanard, Mr. Glenn Cook, and Mr. Joe Ciano and the Borough employees for doing such an outstanding job during the recent snow and ice storm. It was grueling work over a four-day span, but our school was ready to open that Friday. I commend them for a job well done.
\”Mrs. Deborah Foster, Miss Jennifer Tofts, Mr. Doug Sexton, Mrs. Christine Monanero, and I were invited to participate in a teacher leadership program at the foundation for Educational Administration Building in Monroe Township. These workshops will aid us in creating a teacher leadership team whose focus will be on bringing the staff together to work collaboratively to improve school culture, climate and student success.
\”On Tuesday, February 20, we held a \’Million Dollar Machine\’ assembly. Fran Wright form the Police Station set up a visit from \’Gizmo\’ the machine, who spoke to the children about drugs, family, and being responsible for their Million Machine, their bodies.\”
Ethel M. Burke School Principal Frank E. Jan-kowski, Jr., was enthusiastic about students and staff celebrating the 100th Day of School by counting off different items each numbering 100.
On February 13 students were treated to a visit from the Phanatic because of their participation in the \”Be a Phanatic About Reading\” program. The Phanatic was in rare form as students listened to a story about \”Super Phanatic\” and interested with the Phanatic.
On March 2 students honored Dr. Seuss\’s birthday by celebrating \”Read Across America\” with an array of literature-based activities. Some scheduled guest readers are Congressman Rob Andrews, Mayor Frank Filipek, Newscaster Terry Ruggles, Philadelphia Soul Arena Football representative, Po-lice Chief William Walsh, and Fire Chief Jim Burleigh.
This post was imported from a legacy archive. Please excuse any formatting inconsistencies.