State is sending Intervention Team to assist in improving the districts governance
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
The employment status of Asbury Park Superintendent of Schools Dr. Antonio Lewis is scheduled to be discussed at tonight’s (August 31) Board of Education meeting, with the replacement of Lewis with an acting chief a distinct possibility.
A public notice to The Coaster from Board Administrator Aiman Mahmoud, states “a matter related to the superintendent’s employment contract and continued employment will be discussed.”
Although no Board of Education members or the board’s attorney, Alan Schnirman would comment, sources have indicated that the board may appoint a female acting superintendent at tonight’s meeting if School Superintendent Dr. Antonio Lewis is suspended or decides to step aside.
Meanwhile, late Wednesday Acting State Commissioner of Education Lucille E. Davy said she is implementing an Intervention Team to assist the board in improving the districts governance. The team will be led by Dr. Penelope Lattimer and the teams responsibilities will include reviewing board agendas, examing personnel decisions and providing guidance with respect to the implementation of curriculum.
Board President Robert DiSanto said this week that city “schools will be opening on time” and all vacant positions will be staffed before schools open.
On Tuesday members of the state police appeared in the Central Administration office to investigate allegations of illegal document shredding in Lewis’ office.
Schnirman confirmed yesterday that officials from the state police were at Central Administration, but would not comment on why they were there. He added that to his knowledge no arrests have been made subsequent to the visit.
Mahmoud said he did not know state police were coming to the district on Tuesday until one of the secretaries in Central Administration called and asked him what they should do.
Mahmoud said he told them, “Comply with whatever they ask.”
Mahmoud’s office was not searched in the investigation and he said he was not approached by the officers, but admitted “Things are heated here right now.”
Two men, dressed in plain clothes, walked out of the superintendent’s office carrying large black bags Tuesday afternoon.
Last week Lewis’ personal attorney Michael Inzelbuch indicated that the superintendent had missed several days of work due to the stress he has been under, but Mahmoud said although Lewis is officially working, he has been in and out of his office the past few days.
Dr. Antonio Lewis
DiSanto also said that representatives from the state commissioner of education’s office, the state attorney general, as well as representatives from the county superintendent of schools have “stepped back” after conducting investigations of the district.
Several members of the school community contacted state officials about the escalating conflicts in the district. DiSanto sent a letter to the county superintendent of schools in June asking for help and parents in the district traveled to Trenton August 11 to ask Assistant Commissioner of Education Isaac Bryant to suspend the board.
“They (the state) have said that home rule applies,” said DiSanto. “They are monitoring it, but right now the state is not interested in taking over the Board of Education.”
Admitting that some parents will not be happy with decisions the board makes regarding personnel, DiSanto said, “We are not going to make some parents happy, but we’re not going to be bullied into hiring people.”
An open rift between board members has been evident in recent months and seven BOE members took out a paid ad in this week’s edition of The Coaster stating their position.
The ad cites abysmal test scores and the high school graduation rate as proof that the current course of the school district is unacceptable. They also state that a majority of the board is determined to chart a new direction for the district.
We pledge that in the weeks and months ahead, positions of trust will be filled with individuals worthy of those positions, the statement said. The school year will begin with the personnel necessary to lead the way. With patience and renewed calm, positive change must and will result from the resolution of our present crisis.
The only two board members not included in the ad are Adrienne Sanders, wife of Mayor Kevin Sanders, and Eileen Sonnier.
Sonnier released a written statement last week accusing the board of racism, as evidenced, she says, by their hiring practices and rejection of three candidates recommended by Lewis.
Contacted yesterday Sanders criticized board personnel decisions, especially the decision not to appoint Kelly Gayle to the position of Middle School Principal. Gayle is currently serving as interim principal at the school after serving as vice-principal of the school for several years.
Sanders was most critical of the fact that School Leadership Council (SLC)members are paid $20 per hour to review and interview candidates while their recommendation to hire Gayle was rejected.
“It’s a waste of taxpayers money,” said Sanders. “She was ranked number one by the SLC.”
Sanders also said another group of SLC members along with county representatives conducted a second interview with Gayle and again she was ranked number one.
`
Sanders attributes the board’s decision not to hire her to the fact that teachers in the school do not want to work for Gayle.
“The teachers don’t like her,” she added, “but I don’t always get to say who I want to work for.”
Sanders said she had been contacted by parents who plan to boycott the opening of school.
“The only way people are going to take them seriously, is to boycott,” she said.
Sanders also said that a representative from the group will make a statement at tonight’s meeting.
She also said the parents plan to intensify their protest and have already begun handing out flyers promoting the boycott.
Sanders said she has fielded numerous phone calls from parents saying, “Enough is enough.”
As far as the allegations of illegal shredding of documents, Sanders said, “There was no illegal shredding, things that have been happening, like police being called to the Central Administration, are just bullying.”
Read more about your town by picking up The Coaster at your local newsstand or subscribe today.
Published every Thursday.
