By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
The Board of Education has appointed Evan “Steve” Gillingham as interim business administrator and intends to advertise the position again in hope of drawing more qualified applicants than those who already applied .
Mr. Gillingham will work in Manville two days a week, effective Sept. 1, for a fee of $750 per day until the district finds a replacement for Business Administrator Richard Reilly. Mr. Reilly announced his retirement, effective Aug. 31, earlier this year, after serving eight years in Manville.
Prior to the vote at the board’s Aug. 18 meeting, board member Heidi Alles asked about the district’s progress toward finding a candidate to fill the spot. District Superintendent Johanna Ruberto said the district received 25 applications from advertising the position; however, she would like to advertise the post again to draw additional applications.
”At this point, with what we have, I’m not comfortable with the level of experience and expertise,” Dr. Ruberto said. “I would like to have someone in place by at least the new year.”
The district posted an advertisement in a newspaper and reached out to state associations and the New Jersey School Boards Association previously, and will re-post the prior ads, Dr. Ruberto said.
She did not anticipate a problem with planning the 2009-10 school year budget, despite the gap in a permanent business administrator, she added.
Ms. Alles asked the county’s opinion on the district having an interim business administrator. Dr. Ruberto said the county felt an interim was appropriate for the district. Ms. Alles asked if the per diem fee for the interim was a competitive rate. Dr. Ruberto said the fee was customary and was a little lower than the typical rate.
Ms. Alles was concerned about the repercussions of having a part-time interim employee, noting the district’s need for a full-time employee.
”I don’t want someone to turn around and say, ‘you did it on someone working two days a week,’” she said.
Any experienced candidate would need to give an employer 60-days notice before taking a position in Manville, and Dr. Ruberto said she would be hesitant to hire an inexperienced candidate.
”Most of the candidates had a certificate of eligibility, which means they would need to go through a mentoring program for a year,” Dr. Ruberto said. “To bring someone in who you would have to train … You need somebody with expertise.”
”The financial and accounting aspect is already (handled) in the office,” Mr. Reilly said. “I don’t think Dr. Ruberto wants to get into training anyone. She wants experienced business administrators.”
