New VP Golderer: 'Change is Going to Take a While'

The 2011-12 appears to have picked up where it left off.

During a public-comment segment of Thursday's reorganization meeting at , township resident Pat Petaccia, speaking with a tightly controlled voice, made an accusation of "serious ethics violations" against "some members" of the Board of Education.

She referred to the board's handling of the contract of Superintendent LeRoy Seitz, the BOE lawsuit against the State of New Jersey in defense of the Seitz contract and for an unsuccessful attempt made by previous Board President Anthony Mancuso to have Petaccia barred from attending public board meetings. 

Petaccia contended publicly that the move to ban her from BOE meetings violated her civil rights. She also charged that the decision to start legal proceedings against the state was unethical. 

"It violated the Open Public Meetings Law," she said.

Seitz exploded in response. 

"I find it offensive for you to stand there and make unfounded accusations against members of this board," he said forcefully.

The words "absolutely not" made it clear from the start that this board is a divided one.

They came from board member Michael Strumolo during the vote for board president, which occurred after the swearing in of new members Susy Golderer, Gary Martin and Sharif Shamsudin.

Veteran member Dr. Frank Calabria was the lone nomination for the position. Each vote was in favor—including those from Golderer and Martin,  who had run on a platform of "change." Then, Shamsudin voted against the appointment and Strumolo followed with his vehement vote against Calabria.

Calabria ultimately was appointed new board president by a 6-to-2 vote.

Shamsudin later explained that while he had nothing against Calabria, his dissenting vote communicated his desire to see "new blood" take charge on the board.

Strumolo agreed, saying Calabria was part of the "old guard."

"I endorsed the campaign of the new board members because we need change," Strumolo said. "The voters showed, by electing them, that they want a change."

Another split appeared during the election of a vice president.

Dr. Frank Neglia and Golderer were nominated for the position, and the vote came to a tie.

Rather than break the tie—"I'm no Solomon," the new president noted—Calabria decided to break with tradition by stating that he would have two vice presidents, a move that would violate board bylaws.

The president later told Patch that the move, which he believes will be challenged, gives him time to figure out a way to allow two vice presidents, perhaps through amending the bylaws.  

"Dr. Neglia and Mrs. Golderer are each aligned with two other members," he said. "Having both of them will help bring this board together."

In another break with protocol, Calabria announced he would not form committees at this time. 

"In the interest of transparency, we will work as a committee of the whole," he said. "This will allow the public to see how the board works and makes decisions."

The new president stated, however, that he does want to form one new committee.

"One thing would be to get some people from the community, not necessarily board members, who are going to be on a committee to review the goals and objectives of the school year and talk about communication," he said. "One of the things we heard time and time again last year was [about the need for better] communication and to be more transparent. We heard you."

Mancuso said he "couldn't be happier and more proud" with the election of Calabria as his successor as board president, noting Calabria's previous  years of experience serving as board president and vice president.

"It'll give us a different viewpoint, and that's what this is about," he said, adding that he was surprised to see conflict so soon. "Especially with Dr. Calabria as president—this man is a gentleman. He is a professional. I would have hoped that everyone would have respected him. 

"We have to all work together. I hope Dr. Calabria can do the job of bringing what is a bit of a divided board together. I will support him and any efforts he wants to make."

Mancuso said he is focused on the board's successes. Amid all the controversy, he said the board had many accomplishments in the last school year.

"No. 1, we were able to put forward a budget, which the people of Parsippany appreciated and accepted," he said. "We were able to keep intact all of our wonderful programs because of it, and we didn't have to cut teachers or any other personnel in this economy. I am very proud of that."

Mancuso pointed with pride to the achievements of area students presented with awards during the board meeting for their academic and athletic accomplishments. He also lauded the student choir that performed "The Star Spangled Banner" at the start of the meeting.

"I, as board president, initiated that when we started having them come and perform at the meeting a couple of years ago," he said. "I am proud that it has stayed as a tradition, because it's important to give a venue to those students, who otherwise might not have a chance to get heard.

"And then, there are the schools. We have something exciting going on in each and every one of them," Mancuso added. "Every one of our principals is doing a tremendous job."

After the meeting, the new vice presidents Golderer and Neglia said they were willing to work together for the benefit of the district.

In reference to the evening's contention, Golderer sighed. 

"It looks like change is going to take a while," she said.

The next BOE meeting is scheduled for next Thursday at the Board of Education building at 7 p.m.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Petaccia called the legal proceedings against the state illegal. She said they were unethical.

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