By: Cara Latham
PLUMSTED Amid concerns from parents about stability at the high school, the school board has hired an interim principal and a new business administrator.
The board on Aug. 22 hired Elizabeth Panella as the interim principal of New Egypt High School at a salary of $500 a day. It also hired Frank Gripp as the business administrator at a pro-rated salary of $118,000 a year. He is receiving the pro-rated salary because instead of starting July 1, he will begin at the district on Oct. 22.
Lawrence Downs, Karen Amburgey and Herb Marinari voted to hire Ms. Panella, while President Joanna Barlow abstained, and Anthony O’Donnell voted against.
The district has faced much turnover with its administrative staff this summer, a series of resignations, some by long-serving staff, that caused some residents to question the district’s stability at last week’s meeting.
Former Superintendent Jerry North announced he was leaving the district in June, and Business Administrator Jim Edwards and New Egypt High School Principal Rich Caldes soon followed. Interim Superintendent Christine Carlson said the district also had to hire 16 new teachers over the summer.
One resident compared losing the administrative staff with losing the starting lineup of the New York Yankees.
Mr. Downs said he voted to install Ms. Panella as an interim and, thus, try to restore some of the district’s equilibrium despite some personal concerns.
"I, for one, believe that this district at this time is in need of stability, not an interim," but "I’d be hurting the kids in the district" by voting against it.
Ms. Barlow and Mr. O’Donnell also cited reasons of wanting a permanent principal for abstaining and voting no, respectively.
The board that night approved a $6,000 contract with the New Jersey School Boards Association, which will conduct a search for a permanent superintendent. President Barlow said the process could take between six months and a year, but she said officials would like one in place by next school year.
Board members explained that it was not uncommon for school districts to have associations such as the New Jersey School Boards Association help with finding permanent superintendents, even though it was not mandated by the state.
Warwick Drive resident Karen Baumgartner criticized the board’s decision to do so, saying, "I think it would cost a lot less money to advertise locally or look from within. I’m a big proponent of looking within to keep the stability of our schools."
However, Hemlock Drive resident Rich Brevogel defended the board, saying the NJSBA will screen the candidates well.
"You’re going to get better candidates when you go through that process," he said.
Some parents also criticized the board for not hiring a permanent principal.
"This new interim principal does not know our students or staff," said Ms. Baumgartner. "I think it’s more important than ever before that we regain continuity here at New Egypt High School."
Ms. Barlow said this isn’t the first time the district has seen turnover. Last summer, it had to hire 22 new teachers, but most of the resignations occurred in the beginning of the summer.
"The problem with this year is, (the resignations) all seemed to come at the end of summer," she said, noting the board has hired new teachers in time for the new school year.
Ms. Carlson said she recommended hiring an interim because she had only three weeks to perform the search and conduct interviews, and felt she needed more time to find someone who would be in a perfect fit.
"I know the importance of a school leader, and understand that, so I’ve asked the board to give me more time instead of just the three weeks that I was given to find someone to lead this building," she said.
Ms. Amburgey urged the board to listen to the recommendations made by Ms. Carlson and other educators because they are the ones with the experience and expertise and will find the right match for the district.
"I just hope this board learns that we depend on our administration," she said. "(Ms. Carlson)’s been a big part of who we are and why we’re here. I just have a hard time comprehending why you wouldn’t agree with her," she said, referring to Ms. Carlson’s 13 years of experience in the district.
Ms. Panella, who spent 17 years as principal of Fair Lawn High School, and for the past two years has been interim principal at Rumson-Fairhaven Regional High School, said she understands the district needs some healing and said she hopes to facilitate that.
After serving as interim principal in her last position, she said the district wanted her to stay there, but state law prohibits someone from working any longer than two years in one school district after retirement. She said the circumstances going into that high school were similar to those in New Egypt, where 50 percent of the staff was younger and not tenured.
"What they needed was someone who could help transition," she said. "In this area, with all these new people on board, what you really need is positive experience.
"While I’m somewhat dismayed by what I’m hearing here in terms of your acceptance of me as an interim, I hope that by the end of this time next year, you’ll say to yourself that was a pretty good idea, and this board made the right decision," she added.

