By Lois Staas
NEWS Correspondent
During last week\’s meeting of the Bellmawr Board of Education, former Board Member Darlene Lescota clarified the reason for her recent resignation, \”I did not resign because of time constraints. I resigned because as a board member I could not speak about the surplus in the budget and what it is used for.\”
Lescota is one figure in a long line of resignation after the retirement of former Superintendent Timothy Bell.
After his leaving the district about three and one half years ago, Bell was succeeded by Deborah Monahan, who was shortly succeeded by current Superintendent Annette Castiglione.
Former Board Secretary/Business Administrator Bruce B. Finkle left for another position and was succeeded by Dr. Ann Garcia, who resigned and was succeeded by the interim John Amato.
Meanwhile, Bellmawr BOE replaced former Solicitor John D. Wade with Ronald W. Sahli. In addition to Lescota\’s resignation, the BOE had previously accepted the resignations of Linee Getzinger and Maria Fasulo.
Three candidates for the vacated position were on hand for a public interview by the Board of Education members present for the meeting, President Jody Mangus, Vice President Jamie Casey, Mrs. Mary DiMattesa, and Mr. Ron Henry.
This week the BOE will convene to discuss and vote upon Lescota, replacement. Those being considered are Mr. Andre, Mr. Britner, and former BOE member appointed by the County Superintendent, Mrs. Shankerow.
Superintendent Castiglione reported ongoing meetings with other superintendents of K through 8 districts for consolidation of services. The State of New Jersey has mandated that districts of K-8 need to consolidate to districts of 5,000 students by the year 2010.
Another requirement is that Pre-school for 3 and 4 year olds be a full day. \”Seven superintendents in the area are meeting as a show of good faith effort, and as a means of maintaining the integrity of district services as best we can,\” Castiglione said.
Additionally, Castiglione reported that the district\’s Quality Single Assessment Continuum QSAC is underway and that the State of New Jersey is expected to visit the school system before the holidays.
Superintendent Castiglione along with Director of Curriculum and Development Dotti Specht, Director of Special Services Patricia Bartley, Bell Oaks Principal Anthony Farinelli, Bellmawr Park School Principal Elizabeth Calabria, and Ethel M. Burke School Principal Frank Jankowski, Jr. gave a Power Point presentation of the Bellmawr Annual Report for 2007-2008.
Copies of the 40-page report are available to the public via the principals\’ offices. \”I have not printed many copies in an effort to go green,\” Castiglione said.
A bulleted list of BOE actions should be posted on the website along with the report and the next specially scheduled meeting for the board to discuss and to vote on a new member to replace Darlene Lescota. The superintendent hopes that that date will also be available to the public on the school sign.
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