May 19, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The New Castle school system’s 2010-2011 budget process started in February and ends next month.
Here’s the abbreviated version.
•No tax increase
•Budget set at $39.9 million, up $1.4 million from this year
•Sixty-six cents of every dollar the district receives goes toward employee salaries and benefits
•Seven teacher positions eliminated through early retirement. Two teachers furloughed.
•District’s fund balance to increase $1.2 million for an overall total of approximately $9 million
•Athletic program requires $435,000 from district’s general fund
•Food service program self-sustaining
“We are financially sound,” Superintendent George Gabriel said. “Academically, we are preparing our students not just for the local and state marketplace, but for the global market.”
Last night, Gabriel and his administrators presented the second of two budget work sessions. The board will conduct a special meeting at noon May 25 to vote on the preliminary budget.
The district has maintained a tax rate of 17.27 mills for seven consecutive years. That comes despite a $19 million decrease in the value of district-based properties during an eight-year period.
Business manager Joseph Ambrosini said a 100 percent collection rate would bring in $9.3 million. In reality, the district collects between 80 percent to 85 percent of those funds.
Property taxes are the school system’s second major funding source. The state provides $23.8 million.
Gabriel said the district’s financial focus is the continual review of staffing needs.
“That’s where the money is in — your professional staff,” he said.
However, economics were not the reason two teachers are scheduled to be furloughed. A declining enrollment was the culprit, Gabriel said.
Because of contractual obligations with the teachers union, the two instructors will return next year as day-to-day substitute teachers. They will not see a pay reduction.
The quality of educational instruction will not suffer, said Terence Meehan, assistant to the superintendent.
“We’ve enhanced our programs tremendously,” he said. “Our students have an opportunity that doesn’t exist in other schools.”
Sixteen courses have been added on the secondary level during the past three years. Meehan also pointed to the district’s SAT preparation program conducted in cooperation with the Princeton Review and the high school’s partnership program with Seton Hill University.
“We’ve eliminated teachers and maintained classroom sizes,” he said. “We’ve just worked smarter as far as the way we’ve scheduled people and use the staff we have.”
Based on an enrollment of 3,350, the district will spend an average of $11,766 per student in the 2010-2011 school year.
Sports programs attract the most students in terms of extracurricular activities. However, they are poor funding sources. Of the district’s 11 varsity sports, football along with boys and girls basketball are the primary moneymakers.
The three squads are expected to collect $47,000 in admissions next season. The district will provide $435,000 to supplement the programs.
Unlike sports, food services is self-supporting operation. Costs are expected to run $1.7 million, with revenues pegged at $18,000 under expenses. The difference will be made up from the food service’s fund $140,000 balance.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
District seeks to overturn ruling
May 18, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Lawrence County’s common pleas court has been asked to referee an open records dispute.
The New Castle Area School District filed an appeal last week in response to a ruling from the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Last month, the agency ordered the district to honor board member Barbara Razzano’s request for records involving its New Castle Youth Football League.
The school board approved the legal challenge during its April 21 executive session. Razzano said she was not present when the decision was made.
Solicitor Charles Sapienza said the district does not possess the records. What has been obtained came from Red Hurricane head football coach Frank Bongivengo Jr. Those documents have been turned over to her.
During its March 12, 2008, meeting, the school board agreed to take over the city’s youth football organization. Razzano supported the move as part of the board’s 9-0 vote.
Bongivengo volunteered to run the program. He established a booster club, New Castle Football, to fund the operation. The group earns revenue during the football season from Taggart Stadium concession sales.
The district spent approximately $23,000 on equipment, uniforms and others supplies for participating students. That has been its investment in the program.
In a right-to-know request dated Nov. 11, 2009, Razzano asked for information on the youth program’s operations, dating back to March 12, 2008. Superintendent George Gabriel had to contact Bongivengo for the documents.
Sapienza said the district cannot legally compel Bongivengo or the New Castle Football boosters to produce and provide records.
A hearing to determine if the appeal will move forward is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 7 in Courtroom No. 3 in the Lawrence County Government Center.
Through Bongivengo, the district has provided records dating from October 2008 through March 6. They include deposits, receipts, bank statements and meeting minutes.
However, Razzano said in a May 6 correspondence that the records still do not satisfy her request.
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Lawrence County’s common pleas court has been asked to referee an open records dispute.
The New Castle Area School District filed an appeal last week in response to a ruling from the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records. Last month, the agency ordered the district to honor board member Barbara Razzano’s request for records involving its New Castle Youth Football League.
The school board approved the legal challenge during its April 21 executive session. Razzano said she was not present when the decision was made.
Solicitor Charles Sapienza said the district does not possess the records. What has been obtained came from Red Hurricane head football coach Frank Bongivengo Jr. Those documents have been turned over to her.
During its March 12, 2008, meeting, the school board agreed to take over the city’s youth football organization. Razzano supported the move as part of the board’s 9-0 vote.
Bongivengo volunteered to run the program. He established a booster club, New Castle Football, to fund the operation. The group earns revenue during the football season from Taggart Stadium concession sales.
The district spent approximately $23,000 on equipment, uniforms and others supplies for participating students. That has been its investment in the program.
In a right-to-know request dated Nov. 11, 2009, Razzano asked for information on the youth program’s operations, dating back to March 12, 2008. Superintendent George Gabriel had to contact Bongivengo for the documents.
Sapienza said the district cannot legally compel Bongivengo or the New Castle Football boosters to produce and provide records.
A hearing to determine if the appeal will move forward is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. June 7 in Courtroom No. 3 in the Lawrence County Government Center.
Through Bongivengo, the district has provided records dating from October 2008 through March 6. They include deposits, receipts, bank statements and meeting minutes.
However, Razzano said in a May 6 correspondence that the records still do not satisfy her request.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Consolidation talk ends – for now
May 17, 2010
Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
A plan to consolidate New Castle’s primary centers is no longer considered feasible.
Although the project was well received, its downfall was the $29 million price tag. Unknowns over the economy, funding sources and the state government’s fiscal management prompted city school board members to question the wisdom of moving ahead.
“We’re in one of the most volatile conditions this country has ever seen,” board member Brad Olson Jr. said at Thursday’s committee of the whole meeting.
“Our state, in and of itself, is in one of the worst conditions – if not the worst condition – it has ever been.”
Although a consensus vote wasn’t taken, Superintendent George Gabriel viewed the proposal as dead.
“I don’t see votes for this project to move forward,” he said. “I think we need to put it to rest.
“I think the administration needs to move forward on a capital improvement plan for our existing facilities.”
Contacted after the meeting, board members were asked how they would have voted on Gabriel’s recommendation to create an early learning center while closing three primary centers.
Barb Razzano, Dr. Marilyn Berkely, Fred Mozzocio, Mark Kirkwood and Olson said they disagreed with implementing the plan now. Kirkwood was out of town when the meeting took place.
Board President J. Allan Joseph, Karen Humphrey and Anna Pascarella supported the move. Attempts to contact Maryann Tofel were unsuccessful. However, in past meetings, she was one of the consolidation project’s strongest supporters.
“I’m frightened, just like all the other board members are about it,” Joseph said. “But I also have faith in George, Joe (Ambrosini), Stan (Magusiak) and Terry (Meehan).
“I saw how they turned (the district) around when they got here.”
As a formality, Gabriel said he will ask the board for a recommendation at its June work session.
Former board member Donna Donati questioned the project’s demise. Donati formed the ad hoc committee that examined the district’s building needs.
“I think he was emotional at the time,” she said of Gabriel. “Perhaps there wasn’t an overwhelming ‘Let’s go for it!’
“It was my impression that we’re just delaying it. I don’t feel like it’s dead. It’s premature to look into long-term debt whenever you have so many variables.”
During the meeting, Gabriel and his administrators reiterated the educational need for a kindergarten-through-second-grade center, which would have been built at Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center. Business manager Joseph Ambrosini also outlined how the closures of Thaddeus Stevens, West Side and John F. Kennedy primary centers would create the savings to make the consolidation possible.
“Stop and think for a minute about our current structures,” said Terence Meehan, assistant to the superintendent. “(They are) the remnants of an old neighborhood school system.
“We approach education entirely different – not just here in New Castle, but everywhere – in the delivery of instruction. We’re trying to operate schools in the remnants of those days and that doesn’t work academically.”
Gabriel said he won’t be revisiting the topic.
“I hope nobody asks me to do another presentation,” he said in a semi-joking manner.
“The presentation was beautiful,” Donati responded.
Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
A plan to consolidate New Castle’s primary centers is no longer considered feasible.
Although the project was well received, its downfall was the $29 million price tag. Unknowns over the economy, funding sources and the state government’s fiscal management prompted city school board members to question the wisdom of moving ahead.
“We’re in one of the most volatile conditions this country has ever seen,” board member Brad Olson Jr. said at Thursday’s committee of the whole meeting.
“Our state, in and of itself, is in one of the worst conditions – if not the worst condition – it has ever been.”
Although a consensus vote wasn’t taken, Superintendent George Gabriel viewed the proposal as dead.
“I don’t see votes for this project to move forward,” he said. “I think we need to put it to rest.
“I think the administration needs to move forward on a capital improvement plan for our existing facilities.”
Contacted after the meeting, board members were asked how they would have voted on Gabriel’s recommendation to create an early learning center while closing three primary centers.
Barb Razzano, Dr. Marilyn Berkely, Fred Mozzocio, Mark Kirkwood and Olson said they disagreed with implementing the plan now. Kirkwood was out of town when the meeting took place.
Board President J. Allan Joseph, Karen Humphrey and Anna Pascarella supported the move. Attempts to contact Maryann Tofel were unsuccessful. However, in past meetings, she was one of the consolidation project’s strongest supporters.
“I’m frightened, just like all the other board members are about it,” Joseph said. “But I also have faith in George, Joe (Ambrosini), Stan (Magusiak) and Terry (Meehan).
“I saw how they turned (the district) around when they got here.”
As a formality, Gabriel said he will ask the board for a recommendation at its June work session.
Former board member Donna Donati questioned the project’s demise. Donati formed the ad hoc committee that examined the district’s building needs.
“I think he was emotional at the time,” she said of Gabriel. “Perhaps there wasn’t an overwhelming ‘Let’s go for it!’
“It was my impression that we’re just delaying it. I don’t feel like it’s dead. It’s premature to look into long-term debt whenever you have so many variables.”
During the meeting, Gabriel and his administrators reiterated the educational need for a kindergarten-through-second-grade center, which would have been built at Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center. Business manager Joseph Ambrosini also outlined how the closures of Thaddeus Stevens, West Side and John F. Kennedy primary centers would create the savings to make the consolidation possible.
“Stop and think for a minute about our current structures,” said Terence Meehan, assistant to the superintendent. “(They are) the remnants of an old neighborhood school system.
“We approach education entirely different – not just here in New Castle, but everywhere – in the delivery of instruction. We’re trying to operate schools in the remnants of those days and that doesn’t work academically.”
Gabriel said he won’t be revisiting the topic.
“I hope nobody asks me to do another presentation,” he said in a semi-joking manner.
“The presentation was beautiful,” Donati responded.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Questions slow consolidation effort
May 8, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The million-dollar question is whether it’s prudent to move ahead on a $29 million school district consolidation plan.
That was the worry expressed earlier this week to members of a New Castle Area School Board sub-committee. The five-member panel is reviewing plans to overhaul the district’s elementary schools.
The proposal features the creation of an early learning center while closing three primary centers: West Side, John F. Kennedy and Thaddeus Stevens. Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center would be renovated to hold students in kindergarten through second grade.
The district’s third-graders would be moved to George Washington Intermediate Elementary School.
The cost to upgrade Lockley and make improvements to George Washington is estimated at $29 million.
“We can all agree for the past eight years, the writing on the wall has told us our No. 1 financial and policy concern involves a declining enrollment,” said former board member Donna Donati. “That alone dictates that a consolidation is imminent.”
However, economic realities forced Donati and others in attendance to question if it is time to move ahead.
She cited the state government as the culprit of her uneasiness — a looming spike in the state-funded pension plan, deficit spending, a potential reduction in education subsidies and an upcoming election. They are all reasons for concern and their potential effects on taxpayers, she said.
“You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” said Lawrence County Controller David Gettings, who served on the ad hoc committee that examined the district’s building needs. “I’m to the point now where I don’t know what the right answer is.”
Last month, business manager Joseph Ambrosini outlined how the closure of schools and a reduction in staff would pay for the venture. He pegged the savings at $800,000 annually.
The yearly expense of the consolidation would be $700,000 to $900,000 during a 20-year period. That amount includes state reimbursement.
Ambrosini said if the consolidation plan was scrapped, the district would still spend the same amount to run the primary centers. The district would have to upgrade those buildings, which generates additional expenses.
“The issue comes down to what is the responsible position for where you are going and can you support it in some degree or fashion,” Gettings said.
Board member Dr. Marilyn Berkely said the committee should consider two points — can the district afford consolidation and will it improve the children’s education.
“As parents, we want the best for our children, but it should be only the best we can afford,” she said. “Bricks and mortar may make a new school, but they do not ensure an improved product.”
Stan Magusiak, assistant to Superintendent George Gabriel, expressed frustration with the ad hoc committee.
“You’re saying we can’t do it, because we can’t pay for it,” he said. “You had to think we could pay for it when you’re making those decisions.
“There’s all good questions here. But what are we trying to do? We’re spinning our wheels and not making decisions.”
The committee’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday in the district’s administration building, located at 420 Fern St.
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
The million-dollar question is whether it’s prudent to move ahead on a $29 million school district consolidation plan.
That was the worry expressed earlier this week to members of a New Castle Area School Board sub-committee. The five-member panel is reviewing plans to overhaul the district’s elementary schools.
The proposal features the creation of an early learning center while closing three primary centers: West Side, John F. Kennedy and Thaddeus Stevens. Harry W. Lockley Kindergarten Center would be renovated to hold students in kindergarten through second grade.
The district’s third-graders would be moved to George Washington Intermediate Elementary School.
The cost to upgrade Lockley and make improvements to George Washington is estimated at $29 million.
“We can all agree for the past eight years, the writing on the wall has told us our No. 1 financial and policy concern involves a declining enrollment,” said former board member Donna Donati. “That alone dictates that a consolidation is imminent.”
However, economic realities forced Donati and others in attendance to question if it is time to move ahead.
She cited the state government as the culprit of her uneasiness — a looming spike in the state-funded pension plan, deficit spending, a potential reduction in education subsidies and an upcoming election. They are all reasons for concern and their potential effects on taxpayers, she said.
“You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t,” said Lawrence County Controller David Gettings, who served on the ad hoc committee that examined the district’s building needs. “I’m to the point now where I don’t know what the right answer is.”
Last month, business manager Joseph Ambrosini outlined how the closure of schools and a reduction in staff would pay for the venture. He pegged the savings at $800,000 annually.
The yearly expense of the consolidation would be $700,000 to $900,000 during a 20-year period. That amount includes state reimbursement.
Ambrosini said if the consolidation plan was scrapped, the district would still spend the same amount to run the primary centers. The district would have to upgrade those buildings, which generates additional expenses.
“The issue comes down to what is the responsible position for where you are going and can you support it in some degree or fashion,” Gettings said.
Board member Dr. Marilyn Berkely said the committee should consider two points — can the district afford consolidation and will it improve the children’s education.
“As parents, we want the best for our children, but it should be only the best we can afford,” she said. “Bricks and mortar may make a new school, but they do not ensure an improved product.”
Stan Magusiak, assistant to Superintendent George Gabriel, expressed frustration with the ad hoc committee.
“You’re saying we can’t do it, because we can’t pay for it,” he said. “You had to think we could pay for it when you’re making those decisions.
“There’s all good questions here. But what are we trying to do? We’re spinning our wheels and not making decisions.”
The committee’s next meeting is at 6 p.m. Thursday in the district’s administration building, located at 420 Fern St.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
State orders release of youth football records
April 20, 2010
Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
NEW CASTLE — A state agency has ordered the release of records involving New Castle’s youth football program.
City school board member Barbara Razzano has pursued financial information of the operation, which is run by Red Hurricane head football coach Frank Bongivengo Jr. When her Dec. 16 request went unanswered, she appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Superintendent George Gabriel said the district is willing but unable to comply.
“At no time have the records requested been in the custody, control or possession of the (district),” Gabriel answered in an affidavit to the agency. “(To) the best of my knowledge, information and belief, Mr. Bongivengo is in possession of the requested records.”
The state’s response: Get them.
“The district must take necessary steps to acquire the requested records and provide them to (Razzano),” appeals officer Audrey Buglione wrote in her April 12 decision.
The district has until May 12 to appeal in Lawrence County common pleas court. Gabriel said last night he will discuss the ruling with district solicitor Charles Sapienza.
The school board voted to take over the youth program March 12, 2008. Bongivengo was appointed to oversee the organization but did not receive compensation.
The district does not fund the program. Concession sales at Taggart Stadium during the district’s football games provide the money necessary for operations.
Razzano presented two requests to Gabriel under the state’s Right To Know Law.
“Following an athletic committee meeting, Mr. Bongivengo agreed to turn over the records that had been initially requested by (Razzano),” Gabriel said. “The district immediately disclosed those records upon receipt.”
The agency did not provide the date or nature of the first request.
Razzano’s second notice, submitted in December, sought the following items: an original bank statement with balance totals and check descriptions; deposit slips, bank information from March 12, 2008, through June 17, 2009; a list of all signers for banking; and the minutes and names/titles of the executive committee.
“Once again, I contacted Mr. Bongivengo providing a copy of the second request,” Gabriel said. “Mr. Bongivengo has not provided the (district) with those records.”
Bongivengo, through his attorney Jonathan Solomon, said the records were not subject to the Right To Know Law. However, they would be made available for inspection.
An attempt to contact Solomon and Razzano for comment was unsuccessful. Bongivengo said he had not seen the ruling.
In her report, Buglione wrote the district’s resolution to run the program included the commitment “to finalize all financial obligations.”
“Therefore, the financial records of the (youth) program are records of the district,” she continued. “The record reflects that the district failed to adopt a procedure or policy that enabled it to maintain access to its financial records related to the (youth) program and carry out its resolution to finalize financial obligations.
“This does not relieve the district of its obligation to gain control of the records in response to a right-to-know request. An agency is required to provide access to its public records even when an individual who is in physical possession of the records is refusing to comply with the agency’s request to turn the records over.”
Patrick E. Litowitz
New Castle News
NEW CASTLE — A state agency has ordered the release of records involving New Castle’s youth football program.
City school board member Barbara Razzano has pursued financial information of the operation, which is run by Red Hurricane head football coach Frank Bongivengo Jr. When her Dec. 16 request went unanswered, she appealed to the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records.
Superintendent George Gabriel said the district is willing but unable to comply.
“At no time have the records requested been in the custody, control or possession of the (district),” Gabriel answered in an affidavit to the agency. “(To) the best of my knowledge, information and belief, Mr. Bongivengo is in possession of the requested records.”
The state’s response: Get them.
“The district must take necessary steps to acquire the requested records and provide them to (Razzano),” appeals officer Audrey Buglione wrote in her April 12 decision.
The district has until May 12 to appeal in Lawrence County common pleas court. Gabriel said last night he will discuss the ruling with district solicitor Charles Sapienza.
The school board voted to take over the youth program March 12, 2008. Bongivengo was appointed to oversee the organization but did not receive compensation.
The district does not fund the program. Concession sales at Taggart Stadium during the district’s football games provide the money necessary for operations.
Razzano presented two requests to Gabriel under the state’s Right To Know Law.
“Following an athletic committee meeting, Mr. Bongivengo agreed to turn over the records that had been initially requested by (Razzano),” Gabriel said. “The district immediately disclosed those records upon receipt.”
The agency did not provide the date or nature of the first request.
Razzano’s second notice, submitted in December, sought the following items: an original bank statement with balance totals and check descriptions; deposit slips, bank information from March 12, 2008, through June 17, 2009; a list of all signers for banking; and the minutes and names/titles of the executive committee.
“Once again, I contacted Mr. Bongivengo providing a copy of the second request,” Gabriel said. “Mr. Bongivengo has not provided the (district) with those records.”
Bongivengo, through his attorney Jonathan Solomon, said the records were not subject to the Right To Know Law. However, they would be made available for inspection.
An attempt to contact Solomon and Razzano for comment was unsuccessful. Bongivengo said he had not seen the ruling.
In her report, Buglione wrote the district’s resolution to run the program included the commitment “to finalize all financial obligations.”
“Therefore, the financial records of the (youth) program are records of the district,” she continued. “The record reflects that the district failed to adopt a procedure or policy that enabled it to maintain access to its financial records related to the (youth) program and carry out its resolution to finalize financial obligations.
“This does not relieve the district of its obligation to gain control of the records in response to a right-to-know request. An agency is required to provide access to its public records even when an individual who is in physical possession of the records is refusing to comply with the agency’s request to turn the records over.”
Friday, April 16, 2010
Gabriel: No need for policy committee
April 16, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Superintendent George Gabriel displayed a thick binder with pages of guidelines stuffed inside.
Topics ranged from programs, pupils and finances to operations of the New Castle school system.
Ninety-nine percent of those policies were created without the input of a policy committee, Gabriel said.
That advisory panel ceases to exist. A prolonged quarrel involving board member Barbara Razzano over the committee’s purpose led to its elimination during Wednesday night’s school board meeting.
“What was the purpose of policy committee? I have no idea,” Gabriel said. “It hasn’t been functioning in years.”
Working with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the district spent two years constructing a policy manual with the backing of the city school board.
The board pays the association to provide preliminary policies and updates. The policies are meant to guide the district and conform to federal and state laws and regulations.
“You’ll see on a monthly basis a revision of board policies,” Gabriel said. “I cannot think of a time when we did not have a revision to a board policy.
“I’m conformable doing that because it has passed legal scrutiny from the PSBA, and it has been given a review by our solicitor.”
In the case of assistant principal Ralph Blundo, the board had to revise a policy preventing administrators from coaching. He was named the high school boys basketball coach at Wednesday’s meeting.
Bradley G. Olson Jr., who chaired the now-defunct group, said the revision was discussed at an athletic committee meeting and Monday’s work session.
“There was no request made to me as the head of the policy committee to have a meeting on it,” he said. “It could have been done simply.
“This policy was discussed thoroughly. We made a proper decision.
“I did not see any documentation from Mrs. Razzano, who had a problem with the policy.”
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
Superintendent George Gabriel displayed a thick binder with pages of guidelines stuffed inside.
Topics ranged from programs, pupils and finances to operations of the New Castle school system.
Ninety-nine percent of those policies were created without the input of a policy committee, Gabriel said.
That advisory panel ceases to exist. A prolonged quarrel involving board member Barbara Razzano over the committee’s purpose led to its elimination during Wednesday night’s school board meeting.
“What was the purpose of policy committee? I have no idea,” Gabriel said. “It hasn’t been functioning in years.”
Working with the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, the district spent two years constructing a policy manual with the backing of the city school board.
The board pays the association to provide preliminary policies and updates. The policies are meant to guide the district and conform to federal and state laws and regulations.
“You’ll see on a monthly basis a revision of board policies,” Gabriel said. “I cannot think of a time when we did not have a revision to a board policy.
“I’m conformable doing that because it has passed legal scrutiny from the PSBA, and it has been given a review by our solicitor.”
In the case of assistant principal Ralph Blundo, the board had to revise a policy preventing administrators from coaching. He was named the high school boys basketball coach at Wednesday’s meeting.
Bradley G. Olson Jr., who chaired the now-defunct group, said the revision was discussed at an athletic committee meeting and Monday’s work session.
“There was no request made to me as the head of the policy committee to have a meeting on it,” he said. “It could have been done simply.
“This policy was discussed thoroughly. We made a proper decision.
“I did not see any documentation from Mrs. Razzano, who had a problem with the policy.”
Board axes policy panel
April 16, 2010
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
After Ralph Blundo scored, New Castle benched its policy committee.
Wednesday night’s hiring of a new high school boys basketball coach allowed an assistant principal onto the court. It also produced an unexpected result: the disbanding of a school board committee.
As the board’s agenda progressed, so did the increased sparring over the group’s function.
Before the vote on Blundo’s selection, the board had to revise athletic guidelines that previously prevented district administrators from coaching.
Anna Pascarella, Barbara Razzano and Dr. Marilyn K. Berkely outlined their concerns.
Pascarella talked about the importance of an administrator’s duties.
Berkely focused on the overall effect.
“It sends a message to the staff, students and community that policy at the whim of school board can be scrapped.
“It destroys moral and the credibility of the school.”
Razzano raised issues surrounding the process, wording and rationale for the move.
When the vote took place, Pascarella joined the board’s six other members and passed the revision.
Eight policy changes followed. Razzano’s questioning of a tax levy guideline prompted Superintendent George Gabriel to respond.
“The (board) meets every Monday prior to our regularly scheduled board meeting,” Gabriel said. “Mrs. Razzano, you’ve missed the last eight meetings. Are you aware of that?”
When she answered “Yes,” he continued.
“That would have been a perfect forum for you to express any opinion that you had regarding our policies. I went through ... each and every one of those policies with the board as a whole.
“If you would start attending caucus meetings, you would have more of a say-so.”
Razzano said she teaches on Monday nights, which prevented her from attending. The state’s Public School Code of 1949 requires board members to attend regular meetings but does not address work sessions.
She added that previous gatherings proved to be contentious.
“It seems like every time I come here, there’s an argument breaking out.”
The superintendent disagreed. Razzano then pointed to Monday’s work session in which board President J. Allan Joseph criticized her and Berkely.
Before the meeting’s end, Gabriel requested that the board craft a motion abolishing the policy committee.
“If you’re not going to use it, you might as well get rid of it,” said Razzano, who helped pass the measure in a 7-0 vote.
Fellow policy committee members — chairman Bradley G. Olson Jr., Mark Kirkwood, Mary Ann Tofel and Pascarella — did not speak against the move.
Karen Humphrey and Joseph voted with the majority. Mozzocio passed on the measure.
“I don’t know enough about it to even comment,” said Berkely, who declined to vote. Her action was recorded as a “pass.”
Olson, an attorney, said after the meeting that the group functioned in an advisory role. He said it had not met during the five months he has been on the board.
“The decision to abolish the policy committee was made in the spur of the moment,” Razzano wrote later in an e-mail. “I believe that this was a mistake.
“I have been a strong advocate of policies that are clear, concise and complete.”
By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com
After Ralph Blundo scored, New Castle benched its policy committee.
Wednesday night’s hiring of a new high school boys basketball coach allowed an assistant principal onto the court. It also produced an unexpected result: the disbanding of a school board committee.
As the board’s agenda progressed, so did the increased sparring over the group’s function.
Before the vote on Blundo’s selection, the board had to revise athletic guidelines that previously prevented district administrators from coaching.
Anna Pascarella, Barbara Razzano and Dr. Marilyn K. Berkely outlined their concerns.
Pascarella talked about the importance of an administrator’s duties.
Berkely focused on the overall effect.
“It sends a message to the staff, students and community that policy at the whim of school board can be scrapped.
“It destroys moral and the credibility of the school.”
Razzano raised issues surrounding the process, wording and rationale for the move.
When the vote took place, Pascarella joined the board’s six other members and passed the revision.
Eight policy changes followed. Razzano’s questioning of a tax levy guideline prompted Superintendent George Gabriel to respond.
“The (board) meets every Monday prior to our regularly scheduled board meeting,” Gabriel said. “Mrs. Razzano, you’ve missed the last eight meetings. Are you aware of that?”
When she answered “Yes,” he continued.
“That would have been a perfect forum for you to express any opinion that you had regarding our policies. I went through ... each and every one of those policies with the board as a whole.
“If you would start attending caucus meetings, you would have more of a say-so.”
Razzano said she teaches on Monday nights, which prevented her from attending. The state’s Public School Code of 1949 requires board members to attend regular meetings but does not address work sessions.
She added that previous gatherings proved to be contentious.
“It seems like every time I come here, there’s an argument breaking out.”
The superintendent disagreed. Razzano then pointed to Monday’s work session in which board President J. Allan Joseph criticized her and Berkely.
Before the meeting’s end, Gabriel requested that the board craft a motion abolishing the policy committee.
“If you’re not going to use it, you might as well get rid of it,” said Razzano, who helped pass the measure in a 7-0 vote.
Fellow policy committee members — chairman Bradley G. Olson Jr., Mark Kirkwood, Mary Ann Tofel and Pascarella — did not speak against the move.
Karen Humphrey and Joseph voted with the majority. Mozzocio passed on the measure.
“I don’t know enough about it to even comment,” said Berkely, who declined to vote. Her action was recorded as a “pass.”
Olson, an attorney, said after the meeting that the group functioned in an advisory role. He said it had not met during the five months he has been on the board.
“The decision to abolish the policy committee was made in the spur of the moment,” Razzano wrote later in an e-mail. “I believe that this was a mistake.
“I have been a strong advocate of policies that are clear, concise and complete.”
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