ABERDEEN — The Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Board of Education hired an interim director of special services at the Jan. 12 workshop session.
By a 7-1 vote, Dr. Michael Lake, who served as superintendent of the Neptune Township School District for 18 years, was hired at a rate of $500 per day for four days a week from Jan. 13 until April 8.
Board member John Barbato said that he voted against Lake’s appointment because he believed the position could have been filled “in-house.”
“I have a concern with the amount of money per day we are giving a retired superintendent,” Barbato said. “Maybe we should do it in-house and have one of our employees in that position. I don’t believe we get the full bang for our buck.”
Barbato also said that he does not believe in paying a retired superintendent who is already receiving a school pension.
“If you are really doing it for the kids, do you have to charge $500 a day?” he said.
Board member Catherine Zavorskas abstained from the vote and later cited a lack of information as her reason for not voting.
“I didn’t have an opportunity to get all of the information to make the decision,” she said. “And I really didn’t want to hold up the vote.”
Superintendent of Schools Richard O’Malley explained after the meeting that Lake came highly recommended for the position.
“Dr. Lake has the experience necessary and he came highly regarded from an association of superintendents that I belong to,” he said.
According to his résumé, Lake holds N.J. certification as an elementary teacher, a reading specialist, a supervisor, a principal and as an administrator.
Listed among his professional credentials, in addition to his 18-year tenure as schools chief in Neptune, are several administrative positions within the Neptune Township School District, are service as supervisor of special services and a reading specialist and learning disabilities specialist position with the Jackson School District.
Lake will replace Helen Rappaport, the district’s former supervisor of special services. That position was eliminated when the board decided to remove the position of supervisor and install the position of director at the Nov. 17 meeting.
According to the resolution authorizing a reduction in force, Rappaport’s position of supervisor of special services was to be eliminated at the end of the calendar year, and the position of director of special services would be established.
The action was controversial but officials stated throughout the meeting that it was not a personal decision, rather a decision made based on the nature of the positions and the required staff that may or may not hold the appropriate certification.
At the Jan. 12 board workshop meeting, the personnel agenda listed Rappaport as a candidate for the position of school psychologist at a yearly salary of $107,250.
The Jan. 26 Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District Board of Education will hold its next meeting at 8 p.m. at the Ravine Drive Elementary School in Matawan.