School boards hires replacement for assistant superintendent
By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Guy Whitlock, currently an administrator in Montclair, will replace Scott Rocco as an assistant superintendent of schools here. At left is Lisa Antunes, the assistant superintendent for curriculum. Mr. Whitlock enjoys a piece of cake at a welcoming moment at Monday’s school board meeting.
Montclair educator
hired to replace Rocco
Hired
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Gene RobbinsManaging Editor
Goodbyes and hellos were exchanged Monday night as the Board of Education said farewell to an 18-year employee and welcomed his successor.
Scott Rocco, the assistant superintendent for personnel, was hailed for his "exceptional service" as an administrator, building principal and teacher. He is leaving at the end of the month to take the job as superintendent of Spotswood Township Schools.
He will be replaced by Guy Whitlock, now the director of special projects in the Montclair school district. He has served there as a teacher, middle school principal and assistant to the superintendent, said Hillsborough Superintendent Jorden Schiff.
He was selected for the 2012 William A. Cuff Educator Award, given by the College of Education and Human Services at Montclair State University, for making "a significant contribution through teaching or administration."
Mr. Whitlock attended the meeting with his wife, Toni, and oldest son, Kendal.
Dr. Schiff said education is Mr. Whitlock’s second career. He previously was an attorney who has worked as an assistant public defender’s office, in real estate law and as a staff attorney for Toys ‘R Us.
To fill the duties until Mr. Whitlock begins work here, the board hired an interim assistant superintendent, but not before one board member questioned the salary of $575 per day for up to 60 days.
Board member Judith Haas said she couldn’t see the value in paying Andrew Rinko, superintendent of the Bedminster K-8 district for a decade until his retirement in June, as much as $34,000 for the temporary job. The per-diem rate is equivalent to Mr. Rocco’s daily salary.
Board member Christopher Pulsifer said there was much work in establishing and training in a system of teacher and administrative evaluations. Mr. Rinko is experienced in evaluations as a former superintendent, he said.
Mr. Rinko is past president of the New Jersey Association of School Administrators and has extensive central office background. Dr. Schiff said. He has more than 35 years of administrative experience, having been a superintendent in North Caldwell and Berkeley Township, a middle school principal in Readington and a grammar school principal in Howell Township.
A term of 60 days is the maximum, Mr. Pulsifer said, and would be shortened if Mr. Whitlock was released earlier from his duties in Montclair.
Ms. Haas said she didn’t see how an interim person was worth the same as the person leaving the job. Mr. Pulsifer and Dr. Schiff both said it was common to pay an interim person at a higher rate.
Dr. Schiff said no benefits would be paid, and, if Mr. Rinko was ill or absent, he wouldn’t get paid. Ms. Haas said the retired superintendent already was collecting a pension and benefits paid by the public.
She was the no vote in a 5-1 tally on the position.
Dr. Schiff lauded Mr. Rocco’s integrity, honesty, humanity and concern for teachers and passion for children.
From the audience, Sue DiCenzo, a special education teacher at Woods Road School, said Mr. Rocco was a friend to her and a teacher to her son. She thanked Mr. Rocco for his work with the schools’ Community Emergency Response Team.
Mr. Pulsifer said he first met Mr. Rocco as a member of the long-range strategic planning team years ago. Every step in the way, Mr. Rocco was professional, represented the schools to the public positively and performed quality work, Mr. Pulsifer said.

