Lack of support affects committee assignments

April 13, 2010

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

The eye doctor received an earful during the New Castle Area School Board’s work session last night.

Board President J. Allan Joseph chastised Dr. Marilyn Berkely as Superintendent George Gabriel attempted to discuss policy revisions.

Joseph viewed Berkely’s inquiries as one example of a perceived lack of faith in his leadership. Berkely said her questions were just that — questions.

The first policy reviewed last night involved allowing administrators to coach district sports teams.

A few questions were brought up before Gabriel moved to family and medical leave guidelines. Berkely returned to the initial topic.

“It’s kind of hard when I’m not involved in any of this,” she said. “You just have to go a little slower.”

Joseph responded.

“Dr. Berkely, if you don’t mind, you’ve thrown a few comments like that. I just want to explain to you why you are not on the (athletic) committee.”

“I just want you to go a little slower because I am not keeping up with you. That’s all,” she said.

“You’re making comments that ‘I’m not on this committee so I’m not up (on this),’” Joseph replied. “You and Mrs. (Barbara) Razzano did not vote for me, did not have confidence in me (as board president).

“Therefore, I kind of feel the same way.”

The disagreement can be traced to December when Joseph handed out assignments. Out of 10 committees, Berkely and Razzano were each selected to three.

The Neshannock-based optometrist serves on budget and finance. She is the lone board member on the legislative and cafeteria committees. She also is on the subcommittee for feasibility study. Razzano services on the policy, safety and sick bank committees.

“Three of 10 committees, that’s the position they put me in,” Berkely said prior to the board’s executive session. “I feel powerless.

“I will do the best job I can do.”

Razzano, who did not attend last night’s session, said she wasn’t surprised by Joseph’s comments.

“This is the mentality of our current board president,” she said in an e-mail last night. “This type of leadership has no place around the education of our children.

“(Either) you are with Allan Joseph or you are against him. If you are with him, you are rewarded, and, if you are against him, you are punished."

Joseph said Berkely and Razzano have been invited to attend the district’s other committee meetings. For example, Razzano attended last week’s gathering on schoolwide consolidation.

“That has never been a problem,” he said.

During the work session, Berkely renewed an offer she made to Joseph.

“I asked you if you wanted to take (the committees) away,” she said. “You could still do that.

“You can take them all away if you want to.”

Joseph declined to accept that offer.

Gabriel worked to guide the board back to the agenda.

“With all due respect to the board members, I don’t think this conversation is productive at all.”