WF BOE Extends Superintendent Contract in Face of Gov's Edict
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Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus Published Every Thursday Since September 3, 1890 (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, November 18, 2010 OUR 120th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 46-2010 Periodical – Postage Paid at Rahway, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] SEVENTY FIVE CENTS WF BOE Extends Superintendent Contract in Face of Gov’s Edict By PAUL J. PEYTON and MICHAEL J. reviewing all superintendent contracts According to BOE President Julia POLLACK Specially Written for The Westfield Leader in light of Governor Chris Christie’s Walker, the new contract with Ms. edict, earlier this month, to cap su- Dolan includes a zero-percent pay WESTFIELD – The Westfield perintendents’ salaries at $175,000. increase for the first two years, 2- Board of Education, last week, unani- County superintendents have been percent increases each in the third mously approved a five-year contract ordered not to approve any contracts and fourth years, with the fifth year extension with Superintendent of before the governor’s cap on superin- reaching $203,625, plus an increase Schools Margaret Dolan. The pact, tendent salaries takes effect next Feb- equal to her salary multiplied by the which became effective November 9, ruary 7. Ms. Dolan’s contract was not tax-levy-cap percentage at that time. runs through June 30, 2015. At the to have expired until June 30, 2011, In addition, the first year calls for a same time, the State of New Jersey is according to a copy of the agreement. merit increase of 2 percent. The merit will be based on student achieve- ments – such as SAT scores and the percentage of graduates moving on to higher education – and athletic accomplishments, as well as other “points of pride,” including where national news magazines rank the school system. “And it (merit raise) has to be earned. It is not automatic,” Mrs. Walker said. Ms. Dolan currently earns $196,000, a salary she will continue to receive for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years. When bumped up 2 percent for the 2012- Horace Corbin for The Westfield Leader 2013 year, it reaches $199,632. In SCRUMPTIOUS ...Troops and their families line up for chow, Saturday night, at the NJ National Guard Armory in 2013-2014, following another year- Westfield, as citizens honor them for their service at the Casino Night fundraiser to assist families of the soldiers. over-year increase, the salary would reach the $203,625 figure. The superintendent’s salary will include Lawmakers, Mayors Differ Along a 1.5-percent payroll deduction for her participation in a Preferred Pro- vider Organization health plan. Mrs. Walker was asked about Party Lines on Property Tax Tool Kit whether Governor Chris Christie’s By PAUL PEYTON ered the cap on tax levies. with its public works union. “[Cur- Michael J. Pollack for The Westfield Leader proposal to cap superintendent sala- Specially Written for The Westfield Leader “The tool kit is not everything it is rently], when it goes to arbitration, it GOD BLESS OUR VETERANS...The Martin Wallberg Post No. 3 of the Ameri- can Legion hosted ceremonies honoring all veterans, living and deceased, last ries based on overall enrollment AREA – As municipal officials cracked up to be,” she said. “It (mu- is out of our [control].” Thursday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Master of Ceremonies would impact the board’s decision. prepare to tackle municipal and school nicipal budgets) all comes down to “It (arbitration reform) would give Peter Hogaboom spoke about Post No. 3’s Support Our Troops “WE Care” The Governor’s plan would cap Ms. budgets come January, 33 reforms revenues and expenses.” us some backup,” Mayor Malool shipments to American military personnel serving in Afghanistan. Post Com- Dolan at $175,000 because Westfield aimed at controlling property taxes “[The tool kit] is not going to have said. mander Bill Maines and Councilwoman JoAnn Neylan also spoke at the event, has fewer than 10,000 students. remain before the State Legislature. any effect on our budget come Janu- In addition, she said civil-service which culminated with a rousing rendition of “God Bless America” by Kerry Mrs. Walker said she understands These include arbitration reforms ary 1,” Mayor Mahr said. “The best reform, should it pass, would enable Stubbs, above. the governor’s plan is “just a pro- that would impact how towns negoti- thing Trenton can do is to keep their Scotch Plains to end what she said posal” at the moment. If it were to ate contracts with collective-bargain- hands off our [municipal] aid. This is amounts to a “complicated, bureau- become state law, then the board ing units, civil-service reforms and money that comes back to us. It is not cratic (civil-service) system that Houses of Worship to Hold would have to go back and rework the teacher contracts, as they relate to the a handout.” makes it difficult to lay off or even agreement, she said. 2-percent cap on school tax levies. She said, in her judgment, the 33 demote municipal employees.” “Right now, we are moving for- Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky reforms in the tool kit are not the “be- “No matter what happens, it’s go- Food and Clothing Drives ward,” Mrs. Walker said. “We need a is among the mayors saying they are all and the end-all” that will help ing to be tough to get to 2 percent By MARYLOU MORANO ing Program and members of Temple superintendent, and we are all confi- in need of property tax reforms in towns fall within the new cap. She (cap),” Mayor Malool admitted. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader Emanu-El of Westfield. dent in Dr. Dolan.” preparation of next year’s municipal also believes New Jerseyans have a State Senate Minority Leader Tom AREA – As in the past, many local Temple Emanu-El’s annual partici- She said a number of achievements, budget. He questioned why state law- misconception that property tax in- Kean, Jr. (LD-21, Westfield) said the congregations and organizations will pation in the “Jersey Cares Coat Drive” such as 52 students achieving perfect makers are holding up the reform creases will not be greater than 2 only way that the newly imposed 2- conduct food, clothing and other drives will be Sunday, December 12, from 8 SAT scores, resulted in the package after passing the 2-percent percent overall, when, in fact, mu- percent cap on municipal and school in an effort to bring a little holiday a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Gently used coats superintendent’s contract increase. “We cap onto towns and school boards. nicipal, county and school taxes will tax levies is going to control property cheer to those in need. should be dropped off at the temple’s are continuing to hit our mark on (stu- “I don’t understand what they (leg- each rise 2 percent, with the county taxes is with the passage of the tool Temple Emanu-El is asking the com- parking lot on that day only. Donations dents) achievement,” Mrs. Walker said. islators) are thinking if they pass the following an equalization process kit. munity to donate frozen turkeys tied in will be distributed to Temple Emanu– As per a new policy, Union County 2-percent cap but they don’t give county-wide. “Property taxes have skyrocketed plastic bags – no glass – and other El’s “I Have a Dream” program or Superintendent Carmen Centuolo’s of- towns a tool kit,” the mayor said. Mayor Mahr also questioned the in New Jersey because government, canned and packaged Thanksgiving other participating agencies through- fice would not comment to the press and “Even with the tool kit, we were absence of procedures on how local particularly at the local level, costs foods to their Annual Thanksgiving out the states. forwarded all requests to Alan Guenther, going to have a difficult time. With- governments can place referendums far too much. Current law is complicit Turkey Drive. For more information on either of the spokesman for the New Jersey De- out it is just unthinkable.” before voters to exceed the state cap. in this cost escalation by condoning, Donations can be dropped off at these events, contact Carolyn Shane, partment of Education (DOE). Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr, a Scotch Plains Mayor Nancy Malool allowing and even encouraging out- Temple Emanu–El’s parking lot, 756 Temple Emanu-El’s executive director, Mr. Guenther referred The Westfield past president of the New Jersey Con- admitted she is “anxious” about the rageous contract and arbitration East Broad Street, during the following by phone at (908) 232-6770, extension Leader to the DOE website for infor- ference of Mayors, described the tool upcoming budget process. She said awards for compensation and ben- dates and times: Sunday, November 114, or by e-mail at [email protected]. mation on how the state handled a kit as “a sound bite that has been arbitration reform could help her efits to public employees,” Mr. Kean 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.; Mon- To learn more, visit tewnj.org. recent contract-extension attempt in overplayed” by the Christie Admin- town, which is currently in negotia- said in a column published in The day, November 22, from 9 to 9:30 a.m.; The Westfield firefighters are hold- Parsippany. He also highlighted istration. She also said property tax tions with its local with Policemen’s Record last week. 2:30 to 3 p.m.; 5 to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, ing their annual food drive. Non-per- Monday’s announcement by Acting reforms should have been approved Benevolent Association (PBA) and “At the center of this property tax November 24, from 9 to 9:30 a.m.; 2:30 ishables can be dropped off at the fire CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 by lawmakers before the state low- will soon begin the same process CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 to 3 p.m.