Board shoots down anti-nepotism efforts

March 16, 2006

By PAT LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

The New Castle school board Wednesday rejected a member's effort to employ an anti-nepotism policy.

Philip Conti raised the issue twice. In the first attempt, he asked the board to not hire family members while that board member is in office.

"We can show some real credibility," he said. "We can have people for the right reason.

"It takes a lot of burden off the administration."

Vice President Peter J. Yerage led the opposition to Conti's request.

He argued New Castle is a small area and it is in the district's best interest to encourage its graduates to remain in the city.

"As long as these people are qualified to teach in the district, we should hire them."

Toward the end of the meeting, Conti asked that a committee be formed to study the matter. Board member Donna Donati backed Conti's effort but it was defeated on a 6-2 vote.

President Fred Mozzocio, Karen M. Humphrey, Mark Kirkwood, Richard C. Panella Jr., Charlotte Sheffield and Yerage cast the no votes.

J. Allan Joseph was absent.

Conti is continuing the efforts of former board member Andrea Przybylski, who campaigned for an anti-nepotism policy during her term.

"We have a rigorous screening procedure in place," Superintendent George Gabriel said after the meeting. "We have a wealth of candidates."

He said teaching candidates are screened and graded before being hired. Gabriel said they must pass two levels of interviews before they obtain board approval. Gabriel sits through all rounds of the process.

He said poor candidates, regardless of whether they are related to a school board member, are filtered from the hiring process.

Echoing Yerage's comments, Gabriel said he wants to see the district's best graduates return to New Castle -- even if they have a relative on the board.

"I'm going to give that person as much opportunity as possible. I don't want to preclude candidates who may be very qualified."