Yo Bill! Have You Heard This One?

The \”chit-chat\” on the street this week circulating through Gloucester City is interesting enough to share so here goes.

According to the \”Grapevine\” Ken Wagstaff the Junior High School vice-Principal has been attending the Gloucester City Municipal Court representing the school district in the capacity once held by the now removed Attendance Officer.

Question

We understand it is the summer but there is still summer school where the need of a VP is necessary. Who covers the school when Mr Wagstaff is in court? The BOE has boasted about the low dropout rate, what happens come September when our \”At Risk\” students fail to attend school regularly, a call to the Chief of Police?

When the District was forced to make $ 7 million in budget cutbacks earlier this year one of the positions eliminated was the Attendance Officer, a $41,000 position that has been in existence for 80 years.

Wagstaff makes $120,000 annually according to the recent June 1 School District salary guide. Ironically the same guide list High School Principal Jack Don at a salary of only $114,000.

Question

How is he going to assume the position of Attendance Officer when he already has a full-time position as Vice-Principal?

Question

Speaking of the budget shortfall, the District received $1.7 million of the $7 million shortfall. Yet it was able to hire back 50 positions out of the 70 that was laid off. Does that mean the other 20 positions along with some of the programs cost $6.3 million to operate? I think the term \”Fuzzy Math\” could be used at this point.

I wonder could this be the reason the District is being audited by the State.

As you probably are aware the search for the new Gloucester City Public School Superintendent has come down to the following two choices.

Paul Spaventa of Somerdale, the current Superintendent at Mt. Holly a K to 8 district (current approximate salary $118,000) based on figures obtained on the Internet his starting salary in 2005 was $115,000.

Jack Don of Barrington the current Gloucester City High School Principal, a K to 12 receiving District (current approximate salary $114,000).

A decision will be made on July 17. At which time a salary and benefit package should be considered.

Dr. Mary Stansky, the present superintendent, is paid a salary of approximately $175,000 plus benefits. She is stepping down at the end of this year. Dr. Stansky\’s tenure at Gloucester City at times was controversial; at one point she received a teacher\’s vote of NO CONFIDENCE.

The \”buzz\” on the street is the BOE solicitor has researched and found that a NEPOTISM policy exists which prevents a couple members from voting on the New Superintendent. (Sound familiar reference: Joe Rafferty) (see story )

 

If these legal ramblings succeed, this could open the door for a previously dismissed candidate who has little support from most members. I wonder who that might be?

 

What have you been hearing? Email [email protected]

 

.