By Joanne Degnan, Managing Editor
ALLENTOWN — For the second time in less than a month, the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education has voted to hire a new director of guidance.
The school board voted unanimously Jan. 2 to hire Sandra DeLuca as the district’s full-time interim guidance director at a prorated salary of $122,000 a year.
Dr. DeLuca was a former principal in the Princeton Regional School District from 1998-2003 and the director of guidance for the Metuchen School District from 2004-2010, according to UFRSD Business Administrator Diana Schiraldi.
The action comes just a few weeks after the board voted Dec. 12 to hire David Oliver, a former guidance director in the West Windsor-Plainsboro School District, as the interim guidance director at a salary of $500 a day. Schools Superintendent Dick Fitzpatrick told the school board Mr. Oliver changed his mind about taking the position after board’s December vote.
”It’s been a challenge to find someone,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said.
”The individual that we were happy to bring in made a decision at the last moment to withdraw his acceptance,” he said referring to Mr. Oliver.
Dr. DeLuca, who has a doctorate in education and a law degree, is being hired as an interim guidance director because she is retired and not permitted under pension rules to accept a permanent position. The law allows her to work on an interim basis for up to two years, Dr. Fitzpatrick said.
”I don’t know if we could find anyone better anywhere so we’ll appoint her for this year and see if she still wants to stay with us,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “It would be smart for us, if things work as well as I think they will, to have her continue as long as she is interested in continuing.”
Board member Amy Jacobson noted it would be unlikely Dr. DeLuca would stay past two years because of pension rules.
”Unless (state officials) change that provision,” Dr. Fitzpatrick replied.
Board member Chris Shaw asked if the district is giving Dr. DeLuca health benefits. Dr. Fitzpatrick said the district was not because Dr. DeLuca has her own health benefits from her retirement. This saves the district $9,000 a year.
IN OTHER ACTION following a closed-door executive session, the Board of Education approved a maternity leave of absence for Newell Elementary School Principal Kelly Huggins. The approved leave is for 60 workdays following her term of disability.

