I find it funny that pataccia found the walk out to be rude and obnoxious considering she is so very rude and obnoxious. I am no fan of this who contract/teacher/boa mess but when is the las time anyone said, hey, Ill skip that raise for the good of all? Has Pat? Most people have a hard time paying their bills. Who says "no thank you on that raise good buddy, I will just continue to figure out how to juggle my bills, maybe I will skip the mortgage payment this month and well, so I need a new hot water heater, I will just continue to take cold showers". Try thinking of these people as individuals, not a whole. You are an individual who wants and expects a raise, so do the teachers. Try putting down the cigarette, the nic-fits are becoming a bit much.

I guess they just think of the taxpayers as a piggybank.

BOE willing to raise our taxes to spend 8 million plus for athletic fields yet they can't give the teachers a raise ? Really ?
The BOE members are constantly bragging about our schools ratings and use the facts when they run for re-election. How do you think our school system gets these ratings? OUR TEACHERS !!
The BOE gives a ridiculous salary extension to the superintendent, then fights to keep it but we can't settle with the teachers in 2 years?
Parsippany is rated one of the best places in the state (keeping your home values up) to live and people with children move here mostly because of the education they can get their children.
That education is is taught by our TEACHERS ! They are the spokes that make the big wheel turn. They are the heart and soul of the system. Not the board.
Many of our teachers grew up in this area, were educated in this area and remain
here to teach and give back to our community.
To our Board- stop with the foolish spending and do whats right by our educators.

John Browning, you are ridiculous. I am not a teacher, voted no on the Field Referedum and am an angry, over-billed taxpayer (you and I have a lot in common). Teachers don't regard taxpayers as a piggybank. They are the backbone of this district and they have bills to pay.

You, Ms. Petaccia and other misguided angry taxpayers must direct your anger properly toward this/past BOEs with SCREWED UP priorities: Overpaying for administrators and their perks/retirement packages; look the other way and refuse to crack down on out-of-district students educated on OUR BACKS (not just referrring to staffer's students who are out of district, also those who are the product of "STACKING" -- MILLIONS $$ ALREADY WASTED); try to shove an overpriced field referendum down voters' throats while all along eliminated busing for thousands of PARSIPPANY students, forcing teacher and students to pay for some school supplies and denying teachers due raises for good work.

John, this is considered a good school district because of its teachers and your house value is directly related to school ratings. Without investing in teachers, you will lose quite a bit of what you invest in your property.

So if I were you, I would smarten up and direct your anger in the right direction--toward THIS and PAST school boards. This board needs to GET TO WORK, organize, cut the wasteful spending/lofty contracts/educating out-of-distict kids and soundly invest in the EDUCATIONAL support for its students.

Good teachers-good schools-good place to live. Is the Super still around? Haven't heard him comment on anything in long time. They need to give these people a contract! They seem to find money for a lot of needless stuff!

We need to reach a compromise. Nothing against teachers but there are good teachers and bad teachers. Not every teacher in the district is good not every teacher in the district is bad. Also I think the way they walked out like that was pretty disrespectful and COMMEND the teachers that stayed and listened. When your in a profession like teaching and there is Negotations on a big group of people there is going to be negativity and you have to be able to handle that. Also It was great seeing a couple my former Teachers at the Meeting Last night.

I teach my kids that it's disrespectful to roll their eyes or turn their back when someone is speaking, even if they dislike what they're saying. I don't know the tone of the woman that caused the teachers to walk out, as I wasn't there, but either way I don't think the teachers who left showed a good example to their students.

I was at the meeting last night but left before the "walkout" took place, mainly because we could not hear what the board was saying. I do not currently have an opinion regarding the contract because I am not well enough informed on it as of yet. However, many of the meetings we attended prior to this night were nearly empty and without teachers. Pat - however is at almost every meeting and if teachers would have been at many of the previous meetings, they would have known that she is often working with the Board and many times arguing with them to try and accomplish things for the betterment of the kids education. Yes, she is concerned about tax dollars but she also cares about the students. When no teachers have been at meetings, she has been there raising points that many teachers would most likely be backing.

It was only after a 5 minute attack on the teachers - with NO knowledge of the issues separating the teachers and the Board - that the teachers left. And let us not forget that Ms. Petaccia herself said the teachers should "walk out" - which they did. Here's a newsflash for the taxpayers that Ms. Petaccia was defending - teachers are taxpayers too!

I think the teachers had every right to walk out. Regardless of what else she said Pat sided with so many politicians today who blame everything on the teachers. They have been without a contract for 2 years now and could have gone a strike a long time ago. If this were a private industry they certainly would have by now. Let's remember that these people are educating OUR children and making Parsippany one of the best plaes to live. The BOE are the ones who should be ashamed. They vote to give a raise to the super and now have to waste money fighting with the state over it. Then they ask us to spend millions on 2 new fields. But they can't come up with a decent contract for the teachers. DISGRACEFUL!

I think that if the teachers would have gotten in line, and expressed their opinions to the board, whatever they may be, it would have set a greater point to the board and they would have had to listen. In addition, it would have sent a better example to students that communication can create more results then turning your backs and walking out when you don't agree. Let them hear you loud and clear if you want change.

I don't really have any clue as to what the teachers are looking for exactly. Anyone know where I can find an article on that? I'm not comfortable calling Pat or the teachers jerks for anything until I find out what it is the Board doesn't want to give them. I mean, they could all just want a lollipop. Or some beer. Or on the other hand they could want Several lollipops and Lots of beer. You know what I mean?

#1
The “new” BOE majority just took office. I think this might have been their 3rd meeting. When Dr. Calabria took over last year, even though he spent 37 or more years as a member of the Parsippany BOE, he was given a “pass” for a number of months. Granted, he is a “silver tongued” politician, but he accomplished nothing, in my opinion, during his year at the helm, except to work to blind the people and frustrate the attending public with his down-home fog. We lost the right to vote on BOE budgets during his tenure or was it Mr. Mancuso’s? The only folks who did well were Dr. Seitz (who was protected in his inefficiency by Calabria and the former majority), Dr. Seitz’s direct hires and the members of the prior majority and their supporters. But the voters did speak and let the “old” majority know that their work was not respected. Some saw the writing on the wall, and left the BOE on their own accord. Some were not so prescient and were voted out of office. I suspect the voters will speak strongly again next year.

#2
With this in mind, I would think it would be fair for the people of Parsippany, to stay vigilant but give Mrs. Golderer and the “new” majority some time to get their feet under them to begin the process of change that the voters have demanded (by the tally of their votes). I believe that this “new” majority will bring us closer to what the voters and taxpayers of Parsippany are looking for in their BOE. If we are disappointed as much as we have been in the past, the vigilant among us will surely cause more change in our BOE as the time to choose arrives. If the current majority is not effective, I expect they will be replaced as well, by the people, not by political chicanery.

Although some may feel teachers get a raise every year in reality teacher take home pay has decreased 3 years in a row. Pay will continue to decrease the next two years as health care and pension contributions from teachers will increase as per legislation passed by the state.The real issue is a school board more concerned with their political careers and making a name for themselves than doing whats right for the students of Parsippany. They want money for a new turf field but wont appropriate money to keep AP and elective courses in our high schools. Football wont help the overwhelming majority of our students in the future but AP, Academic and Vocational Elective courses will.

#3
Last night was a good beginning, as messy as it might have been. The BOE voted to begin to look for some new providers of services to our BOE and/or to be able to expand the idea base so that better and more competitive thinking might be considered. This is a very good thing for the employees, the students and the taxpayers of Parsippany. I expect that this BOE will be much more open to better, more cost effective services in the future, if last night was any indication at all. I thought what some people have described as “squabbles” was in fact, very reassuring. I saw, perhaps for the first time in the 3 or so years that I have been attending, members on different sides of a question, disagreeing strongly and yet in the final analysis, voting together. Congratulations, Mrs. Orthwein and Mr. Strumolo. And, I saw real thinking on both sides of issues, not just the traditional following of failed leadership that I have witnessed during past BOE seasons . That is great for us all.

#4
I suspect that many of us are very empathetic of the teacher/employees cause. I personally felt that Mrs. Mayer’s presentation (while cheered by her constituents) was somehow inappropriately threatening. I do not think she led her teachers well. She sounded like a union organizer and politician to me, and I do not know her at all. I know it was late, but it was not helpful for most of the teachers to walk out as Mrs. Petaccia spoke. I was very respectful of the teachers who stayed to hear the rest of the comments.
I found it interesting that the person responsible for Grounds and Building Maintenance, was, through the Secretary’s Report, being given extra responsibilities (I think), when he has clearly done a miserable job in maintaining our schools and outside facilities. Perhaps I am being unfair, since he takes his marching orders from a higher level administrator, I suspect. If anything is clear, this Administration has done a remarkably bad job with its responsibility to care for the taxpayer’s property. And, perhaps worst of all, they never recognize that fact so we can believe it will become better in the future.
Lastly, I expect that my comments and other’s comments will be attacked by the supporters of the “old” BOE majority. I have seen this proliferating since the last election. I hope it can begin to wane as the people see a better, more responsible education system evolve. Let’s see.

When too many Parsippany parents don't vote or participate, some see apathy and despair. I see disappointment and even outrage. And I believe that out of this frustration can come hope, action and change. Remember this come November. Parents should be outraged. Our children's education should be the most important issue for this board. We have many wonderful teachers in this district. My children are receiving a great education. Now parents need to attend these board meeting and be educated themselves. Don't believe everything you read! Go to the meetings and see for yourselves.

My kids have gone through Lake Par, Brooklawn and the Hills. Most of their teachers have been nothing less than outstanding. My kids best interests were always their teachers' top priority. Regardless if it was in the classroom or on the playing fields - their coaches and teachers have been a very positive influence on them.
The teachers have been at meetings, and talked passiontaely about their jobs, and have always remained respectful. I cannot speak for what happened last night; I was not there.

I am ashamed of the residents of Parsippany, The teachers are simply asking to get back what is being taken from them. The teachers have families and bills that they are trying to pay, and every year they get a bigger hit. While you might not agree with the "perks" teachers had, be aware that the perks no longer exist. As they are being taken, so is the money that they make. Are you checks at least staying the same? Teachers work beyond the contract hours, and many work over the summer to make ends meet. Before making ignorant comments about the job that teachers do, walk in their shoes. Be there when they get home and are completing work well into the night because they want to be able to spend some time with their families. When your work day ends, do you get to go home and leave the job? Teachers don't. Teachers deserve every penny they are paid and deserve the respect of this town. Whether or not you have children is irrelevant. Keep in mind that teachers are just trying to do what is best for their students, as well as their families.

I am with Patrick -- what was the previous and new contract... Here is a shocker in the private industry we have seen increases in health insurance premiums, pensions become nonexistent and compensation be under scrutiny for years. I personally would love to see a pay for performance package tied to teachers salaries. But they are union so you can forget that ever happening. Unions are all about making sure the dead weight is carried and performance not being tied to pay.

Also before we spend $8 million in new fields can be possibly focus a bit on the academics. The Parsippany test scores haven't stacked up so well against some of the better areas in NJ as of lately. Once again pay for performance -- but don't worry the bunch of row houses and additional rentals on the table to go into Parsippany certainly will not make this task any easier. But then again the local government is more concerned about lining their own pockets than the greater good of the community -- no surprise there.

http://www.greatschools.org/new-jersey/parsippany/Parsippany_Troy-Hills-Township-Schools/schools/

Give me an article with a black and white agenda and I will cut right to the chase with cold hard numbers, fact and figures. More reporting today tends to focus on abstract because God forbid if people really focused on the cold hard facts they would probably be appalled.

I was at the meeting and do not think it was as dramatic (on either side) as is being presented here. It was simply posturing (again, on both sides) as both union and Board try to negotiate the best terms possible. Its not personal, its just business.
I'm more interested in the Supt lawsuit against the Governor Christie machine. I can't belive the County Superintendent ripped up a legal document in front of DOE attorneys (plural) and was not yet been fired, let alone arrested! And the guy (Goodwin) who testifies to the truth was already laid off.
Is Patch still on this story? Natalie....I smell a pulitzer for you.

In regards to the testing, why is it some kids do so well and others are clueless?
I went to Parsippany schools and so do my kids. I think our teachers, for the most part, do a great job. There are exceptions.
Some kids/parents put in the effort into education and some kids/parents don't.
We have regular classes, AP, sequential, vocational, special ed, ESL etc., in other words, plenty of opportunity. Too many parents out there not paying attention to Jr. and his studies and blaming the teachers.
The parents, as a rule, who allow their kids to smoke "just off school grounds", blame the schools because their Jr is always in trouble, wear inappropriate clothes to school and don't get involved in ANYTHING etc, how do you think their kids scores stack up ? Maybe letting Jr "express himself" is just poor parenting and guidance. Sad when parents tell me "my kids never get any home work".
Come on parents, take the time to be responsible for your kids. Some parents do and their kids do quite well in our schools.

Reality: you wil never understand teachers and their issues. It is not an apples to apples debate . Good performance begins in the home with good parenting. If you are a homeowner you want good schools and for the most part Parsippny is a good district aside from the boe. Imagine the possibilities if there was some leadership and focus.

Some district employees deserve a raise. Not all district employees deserve a raise. Those who procured their jobs via their friends or relative should take a walk. I'm sure they'll have no problem finding a better job elsewhere. By the way, Pat was there when the Board tried to give the Superintendent a big raise; she was against it. Judy Mayer was also there; she was for it!

I agree. Not all District employees deserve a raise. Good Teachers deserve raises. Bad Teachers need to go. And for everybody saying PHHS is so good. There are good teachers and bad teachers at that school just like all other schools.

Think and work as creatively as you teach. If $60k & perks for 9 months of work isn't enough, get a summer or PT job.

For the record I NEVER stated I was for the superintendent's raise.

Residents need to realize that teachers in Parsippany have in fact not seen any type of raise in years. In fact, a teacher making $60,000 four years ago is now making about $4,000 to $5,000 less due to Christie's health care laws, Pension increases, and Obama's recent Social Security increases. Therefore, even if teachers were given a raise of 2%, their pay will still be less than it was four years ago. Teachers are taxpayers too, and have fielded the increases along with many of the Parsippany residents (and it their own towns if they do not live in district). Losing $4,000 to $5,000 of one's salary (and it is continuing to go down) is not an easy hurdle to bear as I am sure some of you know. Just like police (the same is happening to their salaries as well), fireman, or any town worker, these people are what make the town tick, and deserve to be compensated. If Parsippany is to remain on the best places to live list, we need to make sure we take care of the people who make this town such a wonderful place to live.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that the value of your home is strongly connected to how good the school system is. The teachers are doing their job and they should be compensated. Many times these posts seem to reflect a tone of jealousy that teachers work 10 out 12 months and apparently they make tons of money....if this is something that bothers you...become a teacher. If you think it is so easy to teach to the standards that are constantly changing then go for it! If you want to wait tables or scramble to find a summer job, than go for it! Just don't whine about what they get and you don't. If you go into your boss and ask for a raise after two years you don't have to have hundreds of people weighing in on it via a local newspaper.... So there are "perks" on both sides. My daughters have been taught, nurtured and cared for by some of the finest teachers. I can't help but take offense on their behalf that we wouldn't want to compensate them for all they do. They don't just punch in and out. I have sat next to teachers that have come to softball games to watch their students play. They don't get paid for that. They truly care about our kids. If we don't acknowledge that dedication, I'm afraid they will go to a town that does.

Why were mine and Pat's comments removed. We were not fighting?

Part 1

Hank Heller, residents should and could care less if this is the "new" BOE's first or "third" meeting. There is no honeymoon period here - much damage has been done by BOEs of yesteryear.

Due to several years of wreckless, unethical and inept BOE behavior of wastefully spending on things including but not limited to: lofty administrators salaries/perks/retirement packages, forcing Par-Troy taxpayers to fund the education of non-resident students while cutting busing and elementary spanish for thousands of Parsippany students and withholding Parsippany teachers' raises --TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE to end the circus and force these people to address meaningful business that directly benefit students and staffers immediately!

Part 2

The fed up citizenry-at-large - -those who can or can't make BOE meetings -- should find any way to force this school board to stop pontificating at these meetings and ACCOMPLISH something on a regular basis. This board spends more time arguing over meeting procedures, rereading stipulations of Robert's Rules/other laws and engaging in endless off-task monologues (Calabria, referring to you here) but gets NOTHING done.

A bit of advice for this "new" board - you members & meeting support staff should brush up on procedures and be briefed, informed and prepared to discuss & act on agenda items BEFORE your meetings. Residents would also like you BOE members to stop with the petty procedural, bureacratic debates that accomplish NOTHING for the kids or their teachers/principals/staff.

That is how business is accomplished in the real world.

Patrick did you delete what you wrote or did patch delete it?

That's true. And I tell you I know we have opposing opinions on issues But I have a lot of respect for you. I respect that your willing to show your name and not hide behind a screen name. I respect that your willing to defend something. I also respect you taking interest in your community and your FORMER school district to help benefit everybody

just one question to all of you If our teachers are so good than why do 70%of our h.s. grads that go to CCM need to take remedial classes? I cite Cindy Forrest's Jan.2 article referring to study done Kathy Sleezer former director of curriculum

Rich a lot of that has to do with a lot of the special education kids go to CCM. Special education don't learn the same stuff as the other kids in school do so that when they go and take the tests at CCM they don't ever pass. It's not all the teachers fault. I was told by my English professor that alot of kids who took the remedial class and were struggling were from Parsippany. There is ZERO doubt in my mind that I would have passed English not alone the remedial classes had I not been in Special education.

The following is from a July 15, 2011 Patch article:
Judy Mayer, president of the Parsippany teacher's union, stood and praised the superintendent.
"Do you know what we've got?" she asked those assembled. "We have a very qualified superintendent who is doing an extraordinary job in this district."
Mayer said she believes it is crucial for Parsippany schools to keep an experienced hand on the rudder, one with an understanding of the district. She added that the need is especially great because of the retirements of Business Administrator Marlene Wendolowski, Director of Curriculum and Instruction Connie Donvito and Director of Personnel Matthew McGrath. (Wendolowski and Donvito have already departed; McGrath leaves in October.)
"The executive county superintendent forced the board into making these decisions," Mayer contended. "Okay. It's done. Now, let's see what compromise [the board] can come up with to keep Dr. Seitz here."

The man wants more money. The State says we can't give him more money. What kind of compromise is being suggested? Maybe with can make up the difference in apples and chickens!

Patrick-it may be only one statistic, but its a pretty horrendous one. 70% that's quite a large number, and it does reflect the quality of teachers as a whole.Yes there are good teachers and also some pretty bad ones, which we can't get rid of because the unions won't allow it, until we can weed out the bad ones these numbers will change little.If you could, please cite the stats you are referring to. your point of stats making teachers look infallible (nobody is infallible)

Regarding the CCM statistic for Par graduates - couple of things I'd ask you to consider. I've taken courses at a 4 yr state university and at CCM, the courses at CCM were harder in general. Why? Their reputation is based upon producing kids who can transfer to any college and do well - many do, including transferring to Ivy league and well known public universities. Also, it is in the college's best interest to have kids take remedial courses, two reasons - so they know firsthand they are ready and because it's one more class the student is paying for, particularly one not counting toward a degree. Second, some kids just don't take high school seriously, no matter what fallacy the No Child Left Behind law tries to promote. And a teacher can only teach a student who is willing to learn. So, don't blame the teachers alone. If you believe that then you have to reason that higher performing districts have better teachers and lesser have less - to generalize like that is not productive and I don't think that's true. You have to know the limitations of statistics. They are greatly influenced by socioeconomic factors. There are teachers of all caliber in this district, I believe the vast majority are competent or excellent, whether their students go to Yale or CCM is less about them than the student.

Can we stop being biased about going to CCM and recognize the options it gives people to get started on an education?

Dear Mrs. Potenza
Thank you for your question about Pat Petaccia and where she was during the long and bitter fight over Dr. Seitz's contract. Pat Petaccia and many other attentive and caring Parsippany parents, grandparents and taxpayers were working hard to get Board President Mancuso to understand our outrage over this irresponsible new and illegal contract that was being foisted on the Parsippany taxpayers. If you will click on Mrs. Petaccia's name (or mine for that matter) you will see a hint of the effort that went in to helping Mr. Mancuso to recognize his error. Our efforts were in vain, because Mancuso decided not only to sign a contract (that has now come back to haunt us with a Seitz law suit) but also to increase Seitz compensation, early, improperly and illegally, we believe. That is why the contract was rescinded and the compensation was ordered back to it's proper amount by the County Superintendent of Education. That is also why Mancuso is no longer president of the BOE.
Many in the public did not agree with the contract because of the sure knowledge that the BOE would not have a good explanation as to why the other employees could not also have a rich new contract just like their leader, Dr. Seitz. Well, those chickens have now come home to roost.
Most of the public have empathy for the teachers/employees. The problem is, how will we pay for raises during this time of financial stress on many in the community? I don't know the answer to that.

Part 1

Hank, You and I agree on alot -- so interpreting my ENTIRE comment as an attack on you was misconstrued on your part.

The main difference in opinion you and I have is --- we have NO TIME to wait for people to acclaimate themselves, this board needs to get right to work to make up for, as you AND I so accurately put it ----the many, double-digit years of BOE ineptitude and taxpayers tolerating it and not holding the board accountable for its actions.
And you are right Hank, there were SO MANY years of wasteful spending, but we only have a limited number of characters to work wiith.

I am confident the new members will keep faith wiith the taxpayer, students and staffers. But these new members need the support of public-at-large to keep the BOE on the path in the RIGHT direction.

Part 2

And whether taxpayers have or don't have substantial amount of time to sit through school board meetings, each taxpayer has the power and right to put the pressure on the board to do the right thing no matter what the make up of the board is. Whether the right or wrong person is on the job, the residents need to monitor at ALL times..

And Hank, I already know what you and I agree and disagree on -- so l will not be seeking to interface with you. And associating my user name with any element of fear is juvenile, baseless and asinine on your part.

YOU can look for me at the next meeting --- I will be the one falling asleep during one of Calabria' pointless, off-task orations. Oh, that's right --- the ENTIRE audience will be either snoozing or rolling their eyes at that point (so it wiil be hard to pick me out, lol).

Alan
Come on by and say hello. Maybe I am wrong, but I do not understand why assigning one's name or their thoughts is juvenile, assinine or baseless. On the other hand, my respect for the explanation of Robyn M. is great. If your need is similar to Robyn M's, I value you as well. Have a great night.
Hank

Patrick, I don't know how your comment vanished. Wasn't me.

Doing my best to get to every angle, but I'm one person and there are a great many stories affecting the township and precious little time. In fact, I write this from Tennessee, when I should be living my life, but instead I'm checking on the site.

As far as details regarding what the teachers want or sticking points in negotiations, it's all confidential until they announce that a deal is struck. Sorry, but there is no way to know. For all we know, a deal may be in the works. We may be awaiting ratification. Or not. We cannot know until they tell us.

Regarding Judy Mayer and the Seitz contract, I don't know her position. It is possible to support the supe's work and not be in favor of a salary in excess of the cap. Best not to leap to any conclusions. If she wishes to share her view and opts to do that, she has that right. If she doesn't, she has that right too, as a private citizen and taxpayer.

You live your life Natalie we can all wait. You do an EXCELLENT JOB.

Steve, I bet you say that to all the workaholic editors. Thanks, much appreciated.

Part 1 - Well, Hank, here's one of the "old guard" as you put it. I would love to give this new board a chance, but so far I'm not impressed. At the first meeting, Mr. Strumolo recommended that we table the Superintendent's Bulletin and Secretaries Report because Mr. Carifi hadn't received his packet before he was sworn in (rightfully so). The board spent about 1 1/2 hours going back and forth about it. As someone commented on a previous article, Mr. Carifi could have reviewed the entire packet in about five minutes, making the discussion pointless or he could have just abstained from the vote.

Part 3 -Last but not least, we come to last Thursday's meeting. Again, Mr. Strumolo wants items "tabled" (when will board business get done if they keep tabling everything?). Mrs. Orthwein pointed out that by tabling the reports from their 1st meeting, the district lost $15,000 this month and will lose $15,000 in February because the resolution to renegotiate the interest rate on the previous referendum bond was not approved. This doesn't bother you? Not one comment by you or Pat about this? So it's okay if the "new" board loses money by inaction? Every board member that voted yes to table this, needs to take responsibility for the loss. And are you really going to tell me that you're okay with Mr. Strumolo yelling across the table at Mrs. Orthwein, pointing his finger at her and accusing her of making a political statement? This coming from Mr. "Let's ask the Governor" Strumolo? That's "disagreeing strongly", a "squabble"? During the meeting, Mrs. Golderer banged her gavel at the public and asked them to have some respect. Perhaps that might work for Mr. Strumolo as well.
I can't wait to see a "better, more responsible education system evolve", because then I will know that the board is finally discussing education which is what they were elected to do. And I don't attack you, Hank, I just point out the error of your ways.

#1
Good morning, Monica. Let’s see if I can respond to your rather detailed comments. Sorry that you are not impressed with “this new board”. At the first meeting, Mr. Strumolo did recommend that we table the Superintendent’s rather voluminous Bulletin and Secretaries Report. And, that was probably because the Superintendent was continuing his old practice of making sure that those who might be in opposition to some part or piece of his recommendations, did not get the information in a timely manner. I was at that meeting and I do not think the discussion went on for more than 20-30 minutes. And if you think you, me or Mr. Carifi could have reviewed the entire packet in about 5 minutes you are being highly disingenuous. Carifi could have abstained, but that would not have gotten the message out to Dr. Seitz that ALL members of the BOE have to be given data in a timely manner. Additionally, I remember Mr. Strumolo asking the Mrs. Tedesco if there were any important ramifications to tabling the vote on the package. The answer was no. You can look up the minutes I am sure.

#2
Regarding the appointment of Mr. DeIntinis, I am so glad that you brought that issue up, since it has been a point of much contention among the supporters of the prior majority and Dr. Seitz. So let’s get the entire issue out on the table, as much as non-BOE members can do, since neither you nor I are privy to the real commentary at the BOE non-public meetings. You and your pals can complain about “selective hearing” but here is the situation as I see it. Alison Cogan ran for the BOE and received the most votes among those who were not elected. Alison Cogan is a very nice lady but I believe that she made some huge mistakes in her run for office. Let me explain. The former majority lost their majority because the people of Parsippany voted them out. Andy Choffo lost last year, Frank Neglia lost this year and Debbie Orme wisely declined to run. So the people elected new representation. All during this past election season, the former majority did their best to keep their power to control the BOE. Joanne Mancuso ran and won but was not able to take her place due to family issues. I think that there was another reason she could not take her place besides her need to leave Parsippany. Dr. Calabria and his close friend and ally, Dr. Seitz, I have heard, had offered Mrs. Mancuso a very good job working for the Parsippany BOE at a very attractive pay rate.

#3
I believe Mrs. Mancuso took that job and therefore, by law, could not be seated on the BOE. Now, you might think that Mrs. Mancuso getting a BOE job was just an accident, but I perceive that it was another game by foxy Calabria and Seitz to keep control for their majority, since they got Alison Cogan to run with their friend and supporter, Frank Neglia, along with Calabria. Alison had great appeal and great background, but surprise…she lost as did Neglia, probably because the people of Parsippany are sick and tired of the control game played by Seitz, Calabria, Mancuso, Orme, Neglia and pals.
Now, the “new” majority had some say in what was to be done for the first time in MANY years. Again, foxy Calabria, Seitz and friends thought out a great new plan for the seat that Mrs. Mancuso could not fill. They put forth Cogan AND a new guy, who very few people knew. Cogan and Richard Gaydo (a retired military man who never attended a BOE meeting in the past and is also a deacon at the same church that Frank Calabria serves as deacon) were suggested to the BOE for consideration. This gave the old majority the ability to at least have TWO opportunities to gain another vote on the BOE. Now I am not saying that Cogan and/or Gaydo would have been an automatic vote for the old majority’s direction, but it sure would have helped, I think.

#4
There is another important issue to me, and I believe to other Parsippany taxpayers. If I were a member of the BOE and I were voting for a new person to take a vacant seat I would definitely not have voted for Gaydo because I had already learned that he had an undisclosed relationship with Calabria and I certainly would not have voted for Cogan. Here is why…I hope you noticed that Alison Cogan was hugely supported by many teachers in attendance as well as the PTA at the BOE “selection” meeting. When the BOE must find ways to deal with the Teacher’s Union and other unions, sitting a new member who is so strongly supported by the teachers (and thereby their union) makes no sense at all. Alison Cogan might be a person of impeccable character, but it seems that she has great sympathy for and with the teachers and their causes. Additionally, remember that Alison has 5 children who would be under the education control of teachers and administrators. I would fear that Mrs. Cogan might be inclined to support contracts for teachers that Parsippany could not afford and might possibly be turned to the interests of the prior majority . Therefore, in my opinion, the decision to seat Mr. DeIntinis was the ONLY sound business option that the current BOE had available.

#5
So, you might like to jibe about “selective hearing” but the facts remain that BOE members have a most senior responsibility to design good and affordable business plans for the education of our children. In the past, we have seen ample evidence that a prime reason for being a BOE member was to get re-elected. I think the current majority acted very responsibly, with great courage and in a way that the majority of the voters in Parsippany demanded. Time will tell if I am right or wrong.

I thought that the discourse between Fran Orthwein and Mike Strumolo was ok! I had no problem with the strong emotion shown. Would I have communicated similarly, probably not, but I was not on the line. Regarding the loss of funds, $15-$30 K is important money, sure. But, it is much more important to know what we are doing, how, why and what benefit and problems might ensue. This BOE (with Seitz pulling the strings) has historically just done whatever was put before it. So, using the old Seitz method of stampeding the cattle into his corral might not be the best idea. Look, Seitz was pushing everyone for almost a year to go with his $7.7mm field program. It doesn’t look like that was the way to go. A few months of “lost” money might just be a savings a little further down the road

#6
The reason that the refinance item was not on the agenda was that the Business Administrator forgot to include it. That’s why Strumolo got upset with Orthwein’s accusation, I believe. Much more important was the fact that Orthwein withdrew a motion when it was not supported with grace and Strumolo acted with grace when his motion was not supported. In fact, the problem was solved a little later with a more useful motion from Martin. Additionally, I saw for the first time in several years, Orthwein voting differently from Calabria and Mancuso. Congratulations, Fran.

Lastly, Monica, I know you are a strong supporter of the prior majority. You have shown that proudly for years. I do not have a problem with that, but how about showing some fairness? I know you love the children. That is admirable. But sniping at all whom you have CHOSEN to be your enemy is not right and beneath your intellect.

Carol M
Wrong. I did not say anything about bribery or any other legal issue. If Mrs. Mancuso did accept a job at the Parsippany BOE, she broke no law because she did not accept the seat on the BOE. That is clear. If she did not accept a job at the Parsippany BOE, then I stand corrected and apologize for misunderstanding. I suspect that my understanding was not wrong.

Attempt to amend your statement all you like Mr Heller but you very clearly stated that Dr Calabria and Dr Seitz were in collusion to lure Mrs Mancuso away from her seat on the BOE by way of a BOE job with very lucrative pay and that she accepted. That is slander, no matter how you try and turn it around now

Carol M or Debbie or whatever you real name is
You can write and threaten all you want, but any fair reading of my comments will show that I clearly said, "I believe...I percieve" and other modifying words showing that I do not insist that I know for a fact, because I was not there and am not a sitting member of the BOE. I am saying that I expressed my opinion honestly and fairly and it is not slander at all.

So, Monica, why wasn't the "re-fi" reworked in time for the meeting? Whose fault was that? I'm sure you will say it was Strumolo's fault because he held it up at the prior meeting. But that is not true.
Regarding high roads and low roads, I am comfortable with my path. I don't expect you to waver from yours. You seem to have too much invested to be inconvenienced with fairness. I'll work harder not to respond to you in the future. Good night.

To Steve Revette: I have already stated quite clearly that I removed nothing.

Oh I thought that was aimed only at Patrick I deeply apologize then. That's wierd. I wonder what happened then.

I think the Democratic establishment in this state is so entrenched and used to getting things their way that anyone who isn't on their payroll has suffered misrepresentation for years. I think Christie has always been fair and reasonable, since day 1. It just doesn't seem that way to a lot of people who have gotten so used to the Democratic establishment taking care of its own in NJ that they can no longer perceive real fairness, and if anything doesn't go their way they cry and scream and think they're the ones being 'robbed' while in truth they should never - in fairness- have been getting what they have been all along.

I also agree. Great comment by Me. EVERYBODY should pay for their benefits.