HILLSBOROUGH: Assistant superintendent rehired

Board members to consider job title on Aug. 18

By Deb Dawson, Special Writer
School board members disagreed Monday night about the necessity to hire a temporary administrator to fill the position of assistant superintendent for personnel left vacant by the resignation of Guy Whitlock, effective Aug. 1.
Jennifer Haley and Judith Haas voted against rehiring Gary Bowen through the end of the year. Both said they felt a human resources professional may be more appropriate than an education administrator.
The board voted 5-2, with board member Dana Boguszewski absent, to keep Mr. Bowen on staff, but will discuss the job at its next meeting.
Mr. Whitlock has been on medical leave since the end of April. He was replaced by Marc Gaswirth at $498 per day through May 30 and by Mr. Bowen at $574.89 per day since July 1.
Ms. Haley said she felt there should have been more discussion by the board before Mr. Bowen’s reappointment through the end of the year was brought before the board for a vote.
Ms. Haas said she welcomes Dr. Bowen to the district and thinks he will “contribute greatly,” but she is “disappointed that twice we have neglected to maintain this position. I think a director of personnel would be fine. I think a decision needs to be made whether this needs to be refilled at all. I do not support six months.”
Ms. Haas also said she did not feel an assistant superintendent of personnel should carry the same import as an assistant superintendent of curriculum.
Ms. Haley said she would prefer to have a director or head of personnel as opposed to an assistant superintendent.
Superintendent Jorden Schiff said he would like to fill the position for Jan. 1. He will put the topic of the job’s title on the agenda for public comment at the board meeting Aug. 18. The job posting will follow pending the results of that meeting.
Also in personnel, Jennifer Battitista was promoted from teacher of writing at Hillsborough Middle School to vice principal of Auten Road Middle School at a salary of $88,000.
Michael Davis was promoted from full-time health and physical education teacher to assistant athletic director as well as health and physical education teacher at a salary of $86,500. Peggy Valenti was hired as supervisor of visual and performing arts for the district at a salary of $106,000.
In other business, Superintendent Schiff reported on the district’s AP exam placements for 2014.
There were 366 students who took the AP exams in 2014 as compared to 243 in 2010. A total of 766 exams were taken in 2014 as compared to 481 in 2010.
Eighty-eight percent of students taking the exam scored 3 or above — the high is 5 — as compared to the state average of 74 percent who scored 3 or above and the global average of 61 percent.
Also, the Aug. 1 deadline for parent notification regarding busing is approaching, and no decision has been made yet on whether the district can afford to provide busing to students who do not attend Hillsborough Township public schools.
The law mandates either busing or a stipend of $884 per pupil must be provided.
Board member Gregory Gillette said the district is working with private schools and with the transportation department. A letter most likely will be going out to parents of children attending private schools that aid will be provided in lieu of busing.
Business Administrator Aiman Mahmoud said, “The letter will also indicate we are still trying to work with the nonpublics for a solution.”
Superintendent Schiff added, “We’re trying to get the costs in line so the board could afford to provide busing. If we can afford to provide transportation, we will provide transportation.”
There are about 60 students who attend four or five schools including Immaculate Conception, Immaculata and Christ the King. 