County award goes to Carolyn Rogus
By:Sally Goldenberg
Based on her local union involvement, Manville High School Library Clerk Carolyn Rogus recently received a county award, making her a candidate for the statewide honor of Education Support Professional Person of the Year Award.
"I appreciate the recognition. Support staff usually isn’t recognized," said the 14-year employee of Manville.
The New Jersey Education Association sponsors the annual award, which will be given on March 2.
Ms. Rogus serves as secretary and membership chairwoman of the Manville Education Association, and has been involved in the union during her 14 years working for the schools, she said.
"I also chair the clothing drive, with the proceeds going toward scholarships for the seniors and I man the back-to-school night tables," she said.
Former Manville Education Association President Kathy Kovach nominated Ms. Rogus, a 1967 MHS graduate, for the recognition.
"She’s just been so pro-education and so pro-Manville with the community," said Ms. Kovach, an MHS art teacher. "Anything you need Caroline will provide you with."
She also attributed the 100 percent union membership during her presidency to Ms. Rogus.
"Members were always taken care of. New teachers and faculty were always encouraged to join. That’s why I’ve always had 100 percent membership," she said.
Ms. Kovach added that Ms. Rogus, who resides in Manville, began the MEA newsletter.
Superintendent of Schools Donald Burkhardt honored Ms. Rogus at Tuesday night’s Board of Education meeting.
Ms. Rogus, who maintains the high school’s library in the absence of a school librarian, said she once worked in the libraries of Manville’s four schools.
The high school library now serves the Alexander Batcho Intermediate School and the Roosevelt School.
"Hopefully we’ll get our libraries back," she said.

