By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
At its July 18 regular meeting, the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education renewed the contracts of Board Secretary and Business Administrator Robert Colavita and Assistant Superintendent Richard Lang.
Both men got one-year 3.5 percent salary increases. Last year, both accepted salary freezes, according to Lisa Wolff, board president.
”Even after applying this year’s increase, both will continue to earn less than the average among their peers in comparable positions,” Ms. Wolff said last week.
Mr. Colavita remains the lowest paid business administrator in Mercer County, she said.
Under the July 18 pact, Mr. Colavita’s annual salary for the term of the agreement — July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012 — is $133,608. This salary rate is retroactive to July 1, 2011.
Also under a July 18 agreement, Mr. Lang’s annual salary for the period, July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012, is $147,792. This salary rate is retroactive to July 1, 2011.
Ms. Wolff said the school board also is in the process of finalizing Superintendent Thomas Smith’s evaluation.
”Any discussion of a salary increase would be evaluated upon completion of the review,” she said, adding Dr. Smith also accepted a voluntary salary freeze last year.
— ALSO ON JULY 18, the school board:
— Approved a one-year 2 percent pay raise for 20 nonaffiliated employees and 47 bus drivers and van attendants.
”Non-affiliated employees are employees not represented by a union and include administrative assistants, campus safety officers, business, payroll and other administrative employees,” Ms. Wolff explained.
”I think that it is very important that we recognize that all of these employees voluntarily took a pay freeze last year,” she added. “The board truly appreciates their commitment and dedication.”
— Approved the following recommendations of the superintendent:
• Appointed Steven Per as a science teacher at Timberlane Middle School for 2011-12 at the salary of $54,422, effective Sept. 1, 2011.
• Appointed Katharine Mercurio as a science teacher at Central High School for 2011-12 at the salary of $49,022, effective Sept. 1. This is a leave of absence position.
• Appointed Lauren DiGaetano as a special education teacher at Hopewell Elementary School for 2011-12 school year at the salary of $52,522, effective Sept. 1.
• Appointed Suzanne Nissenblatt as a substance awareness coordinator at Timberlane Middle School for 2011-12 at the salary of $32,626, effective Sept. 1.
• Appointed Sarah Donovan as a special education teacher at Toll Gate Grammar School for 2011-12 at the salary of $56,064, effective Sept. 1.
• Appointed Jeffrey Butler as a special education teacher at Timberlane Middle School for 2011-12 at the salary of $30,400, effective Sept. 1.
• Appointed Carey Higgins as a special education teacher at Bear Tavern Elementary School for 2011-12 at the salary of $52,364, effective Sept. 1. This is a leave of absence position.
• Appointed Michele Newman as a speech/language specialist at Bear Tavern Elementary School for 2011-12 at the salary of $54,017, effective Nov. 1.
• Adjusted the 2011-12 salary of Christina Overman, teacher at Hopewell Elementary School, to reflect an increase in assignment: $61,751, effective Sept. 1.
• Adjusted the 2011-12 salary of Britt Dominick, teacher at Bear Tavern Elementary School, to reflect an increase in assignment: $66,897, effective Sept. 1.
• Adjusted the 2011-12 salary of Amy Hail, teacher at Stony Brook Elementary School, to include longevity stipend: $90,372, effective Sept. 1.
All of the above may be subject to change pending ratification of a Hopewell Valley Education Association contract.
• Reassignment of Alison Morrison, teacher of Spanish, from Bear Tavern Elementary to itinerant at Bear Tavern Elementary and Timberlane Middle schools, for 2011-12, effective Sept. 1.
• Adjusted the 2011-2012 salary of Alison Stephens, secretary at Central High School, to reflect an increase in assignment from 10 months to 12 months a year: $40,552, effective Aug. 1. This may be subject to change pending ratification of the HVESPA (HVSA) contract.
• Renewal of James Mitchell, custodian at Stony Brook Elementary School for 2011-12 at the salary of $40,740, effective July 1. This may be subject to change pending ratification of the HVESPA (HVCA) contract.
• Granted personal leave of absence to Kiki Enderle, athletic director/six-12 wellness supervisor, for 2011-12, effective July 1. John McGinley will be covering for Ms. Enderle during her absence.
• Granted family medical leave of absence to Lisa Haenni, secretary at Central High School, for 2011-12, effective July 1.
• Granted family medical leave of absence to Kimberly Ray, teacher at Toll Gate Grammar School, for 2011-12, effective Sept. 1.
• Granted family medical leave of absence to Sarah Hallock, teacher at Stony Brook Elementary School, for 2011-12, effective Sept. 1.
• Granted family medical leave of absence to Laura Gordon, teacher at Central High School, for 2011-12, effective Sept. 1.
• Granted family medical leave of absence to Coleen Ross, teacher at Central High School, for 2011-12, effective Sept. 1.
• Granted family medical leave of absence to Elizabeth Dykty, teacher at Central High School, for 2011-12, effective Sept. 1.
• Accepted the resignation of Dawn Falzone, paraprofessional at Bear Tavern Elementary School, effective July 1.
