Mat-Ab board hopes for new spirit of cooperation
Donaghue will continue
to head Board of Ed; Zavorskas tapped as v.p.
ABERDEEN — Some members of the Matawan-Aberdeen Regional Board of Education expressed hope that the spirit of cooperation that marked last week’s organization meeting would continue.
Board of Education member Arthur Fumarola, who returned to the board after a one-year absence last week, said at the meeting that the current atmosphere was different from when he departed last April after losing a bid for re-election.
"It warms my heart to see what is happening here tonight as opposed to what has happened in the past," said Fumarola, who ran unopposed in the school election for one of the seats representing Matawan Borough on the board.
In early 2001, the board was marked by a period of serious infighting, and allegations of backroom deals, secret proceedings and intimidation were made public at meetings after a disagreement among board members during a closed session discussion about a personnel matter.
After that incident last January, several board members unofficially resigned including current board President Gerald Donaghue, board member Janice Gallo, and former board member Maureen Camillary, who lost her bid for re-election this year. All three later reconsidered and remained on the board.
Fumarola, board member William Marinella, and newcomer Jan Rubino were sworn in by board secretary Kenneth Jannarone during the reorganization meeting.
The full board voted to elect Donaghue to his second term as board president after he was nominated by Catherine Zavorskas. Zavorskas was named vice president by the board after a nomination from Donaghue.
— Alison Granito