UPDATE: Parlapanides Wants To Apply For Berkeley Schools Super Position
Berkeley Board of Ed president says Parlapanides "not qualified" for job
Two school districts, one superintendent.
Central Regional Superintendent Triantafillos "Tom" Parlapanides wants to apply for the soon-to-be vacant position in the Berkeley Township school district.
Having a shared superintendent would benefit students, staff and taxpayers, he said.
"My board has authorized me to apply," Parlapanides said Friday. "It benefits the kids in terms of curriculum, it benefits the taxpayers, we can buy supplies in bulk. It's a win-win."
Parlapanides said the board authorized him to apply if the position ever opened up. He said he is not interested in any salary increase by assuming the Berkeley superintendent duties. He is in the second year of a five-year contract with the Central Regional school district.
"I'm frozen at $151,000," he said. "That's what I want to make for the next four years."
Current Berkeley schools Superintendent Joseph H. Vicari said at the Board of Education meeting last night that he spoke to Parlapanides Thursday afternoon and Parlapanides said he was not interested in the Berkeley position.
Parlapanides said today he never told Vicari that.
"My board has authorized me to apply," he said.
Berkeley Board of Education President Steven M. Pellecchia said Friday he was upset over Parlapanides' statement that he never told Vicari he was not interested in the position.
"I'm shocked he would stoop to the level of calling my superintendent a liar," Pellechia said. "Mr. Vicari has an impeccable reputation for honesty. There's no reason for Mr. Parlapanides to say Joe would lie about what he said. I tend to believe Mr. Vicari."
Parlapanides did not accuse Vicari of lying. He denied he told Vicari he was not interested in the position.
Pellecchia also called the Central Regional school district a "failing school" in terms of test scores compared to the Berkeley school district.
"That's not what the board wants," Pellechia said. "Our board wants a superintendent that will maintain the reputation we have. In my heart, I really feel he's not qualified, even with a doctorate."
Parlapanides received his doctorate in executive education from Seton Hall University. He also has a masters degree in administration from Georgian Court University and a bachelors degree in history from Villanova University.
Pellecchia went on to say that Parlapanides could apply for the position and the board would consider his application.
Berkeley board members voted unanimously last night to hire Richard Morasco of Leadership Advantage to conduct a superintendent search. Morasco said the average time to find a new superintendent is six months. The amount of the contract was not announced at the meeting.
Vicari is leaving the district at the end of the school year.
Vicari - who is also a longtime Republican Ocean County freeholder - previously served as Berkeley schools superintendent for six years, until 2008 when a previous board refused to renew his contract. He has always contended the move was engineered by the Democratic majority on the board and was illegal.
Vicari returned to the district on April 1, 2011, at the state law minimum salary of $18,500. Vicari had offered to work for free but state law requires administrators be paid a minimum salary.
At the time, he said he would stay only one year, while the board looked for a permanent superintendent. He told the board in March to start looking for a new superintendent.
BayvilleDad
1:51 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Best idea in a long time. Cancel the search and hire him!
Scooter
12:45 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Hallehulah well said!!!!
Mary M
2:16 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Sounds like a great idea. Most districts are K-12 and only have one superintendent for all the grades. May be able to save tax payers money and consolidate other positions as well.
Lori
2:56 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
YES YES YES, save the money for the 6 month search and hire him!!!!!!
Chief Wahoo
3:18 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
i am starting to like this guy......probably just a political chess move.......but if he is stuck at $155,000 than that saves taxpayers another $18,000 (vicari leaving) and i say hire the man today !!!! (and cancel that waste of money search)
Dr.P for Berkeley Super !!! ........(but still fire overpaid OShea).......
its an easy game to know whats best for taxpayers, when you dont pick one gang of thiefs to follow
Scooter
12:46 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Absolutely
not playing the game
10:50 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
To bad news is Amato does not want to work with DR P what a shame save money for our town not his goal .
crga
3:42 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
He would be the best thing for our schools and most of all our kids, and the kids should be the only thing that matters!!
Josephine Manfre
3:58 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Last night Mr. Vicari very clearly stated at the Board of Ed meeting that he spoke with Tommy "just this afternoon and he is NOT interested in the Superintendent's job." The plot thickens.
John Heline
4:39 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
If Dr P said he didn't say that then I believe him
Betsy Huhn
8:41 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Coming from someone that quits when ever he doesnt get his own way, then changes his mind to stay...then says he is done again..!!! Time for a positive change in Berkeley!!!!!
Josephine Manfre
9:32 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Oh absolutely John H. I hope I didn't give the wrong impression. Tommy has always said he was interested and the community has stated over and over again at the Board meetings that we should have one Super and it should be him.
Scooter
12:47 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
ALWAYS!!!!
Josephine Manfre
4:00 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
The Berkeley Board had better take advantage of the three day right of recision and cancel the contract with the search company!
John Heline
4:46 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Dr P is extremely qualified to hold both positions and his decision to run is not politically motivated,He cares for our kids and he goes out of his way to do everything he can for them. Anyone that would stand in his way of having both jobs would be very foolish and is not looking out for the best interest of the kids or the taxpayers.
Eagleguy
4:56 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
This the best idea for both school districts, Berkeley and Central need to work together. Why does Berkeley have a totally different math program than Central?
So that when the kids get to Central their test scores are terrible. Hire Dr. P !!
BayvilleDad
6:33 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Berkeley Board of Education President Stephen Pellecchia needs to go! By his statements, he shows he does not care about our children, only politics! Dr. P is not qualified???? Are you kidding???? Whether you want Dr. P or not, you CAN NOT claim he is not qualified. Mr. Pellecchia has shown he is not qualified to be on the BOE.
Scooter
12:48 pm on Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Amen!
Lori
7:17 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Dr. P. is the best person for the job, he is a 24/7 Super at Central, he is always there, he attends all functions and sporting events at Central, I have personally watched him run from one event to another at Central and he even goes to games at other schools to support our children and then goes back to catch what ever is happening at Central, he grew up here and attended Central, a true role model for our children to see anything is possible, he supports our children 150% and is saving the taxpayes money while doing it, look at all the money were saving with the solar panels alone, something "Vicari" and his cronies have been talking about for years, but just like everything else they say its just lip service. Dr. P has proven over and over he is man on a mission to make Central a leading school in N.J. and across the Country and he's not just talking he's getting it done! The board better put their politics to the curb on this one and hire him NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tired of the status quo
9:14 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Toms River has had solar panels on their schools for many years and the residents of Berkeley should remember that the bonds will come due. Toms River also had the "Gold Star Standard" of Superintendent and look what he did to the residents of Toms River. He stole over 2.5 million dollars. People of Berkeley use Toms River as an example again and see that they had their next Superintendent right under their noses and as you can see nothing has changed. So before you place Dr. P on a pedestal please make sure that you BOE does their search and get you the best that you can get!!! Just because he is doing a great job with the middle and high schools doesn't mean that he is the best for both. I am sure that Dr. P is a good man and from what I have read seems to be qualified but, please do not become complacent because Central could become the next Toms River!
John Heline
12:25 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
"Central Regional’s solar-energy project cost about $10 million to build, yet the district paid nothing for the panels.
“This is because the project was financed through a 15-year power purchasing agreement. The contractor (Wayne-based DOBCO Group) that won the low bid took all the risk in building the system,” O’Shea said.
The district has an option to purchase the panels after six years, O’Shea said.
Central Regional will purchase the energy that the panels produce at a rate well below what the district would pay the electric company. O’Shea said Central Regional was paying, on average, about 16.0 cents per kilowatt-hour, at the time the panels were installed. The district will now pay about 9.45 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity.
“This translates into a savings of more than 40 percent,” O’Shea said. “Better yet, the price of electricity is locked in at a 3 percent increase each year for 15 years, meaning the district will not be susceptible to dramatic energy price increases for the foreseeable future.”
"Tired Od the status quo" you should know there are no bonds coming due for our solar panels. Also, Dr P shouldn't and can't be judged by what the superintendant of Toms River did.
Lori
1:04 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
@ Tired, When Dr. P wants to name a building after himself thats when I'll worry!
Mike Daly
1:23 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
@Lori- WELL SAID!!!! Exactly correct. Let us also not forget there is another super above them all for the entire county.
http://www.co.ocean.nj.us/ocschools/
Notice who the Freeholder Liason is.
John Heline
2:33 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Mike, were these people (Dowd, Vicari) in the same postions they are now when Ritacco was doing his thing or did they get these positions afterwards? It makes you wonder who was minding the store back then if the executive county superintendant was supposed to be watching the local superindents.
Thomas J. Dowd
Executive County Superintendent
Joseph H. Vicari in charge
Freeholder Liaison
Lori
3:50 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
@ John, some say if you connect the dots between vicari, roselli they will lead you right to ritacco
Mike Daly
4:46 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
@John do not think so, according to this link someone named Greenfield was the previous super and was recently let go by Gov Christie. If I understand correctly, Dowd is also the super for Atlantic County and is temporarily doing double duty in Ocean County as well.
I do not have enough facts to connect the dots, but I know you pull any thread in any Government, you will sometimes be truly amazed where it leads.
http://tomsriver.patch.com/articles/county-still-without-permanent-schools-superintendent
John Heline
6:02 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
@ Lori. To me Vicari seems like he's a good person but I just feel like we need to get the politics out of the School Board and the superintendants position. I feel the only reason why he chose to serve last year for free, was to get back at the democrats that he claims got rid of him for political reasons and therebye keeping a Democrat from getting the position. I think we need to get rid of anyone whose only reason for serving on the board or Superintendant is to keep their taxes down or for politcal reasons. I aslo think that anyone would publicly say something bad about Dr.P's credentials or qualifications without knowing all the facts is very foolish and will not be around too much longer :-) (when is the next school board election)?
Chief Wahoo
7:20 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Dr. P has proven over and over he is man on a mission to make Central a leading school in N.J. and across the Country.....
ok take a step back from the punch bowl, you have drank too much kool-aid
George
7:08 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
So he should aim for #2??????????????????????
Betsy Huhn
8:39 pm on Friday, April 20, 2012
Dr. P. has done an awesome job at Central...He goes above and beyond 24/7.. He is absolutely the best man for the job.. Anyone who has ever met Dr. P. knows what an upstanding guy he is .. Its time for Berkeley Board of Ed. to stop the yo yo superendentant garbage and hire the right man for the job!!! Way to go Tommy, Show them how to make a good district even better!!!!!
brokeninbayville
8:36 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
This is a NO BRAINER!!!! Stop spending our tax $ on the search and the price of ANOTHER super. Go Dr P. You are the best choice here. I think what needs to be looked at is this school board...so step lightly.
John Heline
11:09 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Does Mr Pellecchia have any kids in either distict? Im guessing he doesn't. I'm also guessing he doesn't know Dr P very well
Betsy Huhn
11:26 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
To compare Dr. P. with Mr. Retacco is sooo wrong on so many levels!!!! And it is an insult to Dr. P. !!!!
smrh
1:11 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Dr P. Should get that position!!! He has what he needs to fill it and he went to that school himself and he would know what is best for the students, school and for this town!! All this political crap needs to be put aside for once in this town and think about what is best!!!!! I have lived here for a long long time and have gone to potter, middle and high school.. just once do something right!!!
Betsy Huhn
3:25 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Well said John Heline!!!!
Harriette Lefevre
6:03 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Dr. Parlapanides is most capable! As a counselor I watched him as a student at Central and worked with him as a colleague. He genuinely cares about the students and making Central Regional the best district possible'
Harriette Lefevre
Mike Daly
9:22 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Stop the small town political BS. Dr P is MORE than qualified. Who is this Mr Pellecchia anyway? I know Tommy and have seen him walk his talk.
Slammah
10:48 pm on Saturday, April 21, 2012
Who is Mr. Pellecchia? someone who won't be voted back on the Berkeley School Board if he doesn't advise the board that they need to start taking care of the students and what the people of Berkeley want. Take a look at the members of the Berkeley Board, some of the members lost the last school board election, yet they are on the board because of vacancies created by the Berkeley Town Council. This all stinks of politics. What happened to the will of the people???
Maureen Shea
3:37 pm on Sunday, April 22, 2012
Dr Parlapanides is very well loved by students and parents. He is very involved with every school function. He is centrals biggest cheerleader and motivator. He is not a liar and not motivated by politics. He shows interest in students even after graduation.
I think before Mr Pellecchia starts making digs about Mr Parlapanides Doctrine, he should realize all the dedication and hard work it takes to earn one. He has been an inspiration to all of his students.
Xavier
9:13 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Color me confused. The poll is showing that there should not be one superintendent while the comments show something else entirely. Hmm..
Mike Daly
9:31 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
@Chris- not scientific or even a reasonable poll. Quite an increase in activity and change in the last 48 hours!
The comments are pretty clear from everyone.
BTW I also put my real name on all my comments, I'm not hiding behind a keyboard or some screwy screen name. I'm not clicking the poll every time either, so "small town he-said she-said BS". I only say the exact same things here I would say right to someone's face.
But consider who has the most to lose in the event the two districts do merge in to one? Those are probably the hand or hands clicking that "NO" a lot.
I find it fascinating that in neither the article nor in the comments has anyone attempted to lay out a single serious fact why keeping the two districts separate is in the best interests of either the students or the tax payers. Probably because its not.
Patricia A. Miller
10:44 am on Monday, April 23, 2012
Hi Chris,
It appears someone hacked into the poll overnight. It has been removed from the story.
Lori
12:43 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
@ Mike & Chris, not everybody is as stupid as the people voting over and over again as if this poll means a thing, like you both said all the comments clearly favor Dr. P. and I work for Seniors in our town and all the ones i've spoken to favor 1 super over 2, it should'nt always be about saving money but with some people thats what means the most, I think I'll log out and in again all day just so I can vote again NOT!
mystie
12:37 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
mmmm!
mystie
12:58 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
I for one am in favor of 1 super. Not because of money but because Dr.P truly cares about my kid and everybodies kid that attends or attended central. Not all super's care in the way he does.
Why did they need a consulting firm to conduct a super search when they could use the school bds. to do the same. Are they buying the pick they want?
What ever came of Mrs.Lipercot? I thought she was in line for the position.
Waste waste waste your money your money your money
Stay tuned!
PS
ALL POLITICIANS LIE!
John Heline
5:22 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
You could use a consulting firm to hopefully come up with an excuse not to hire the person that everyone seem to want. This way they will have a fall guy for not hiring Dr P.
Brian Wilson
9:35 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
What is going on with the elementary Board of Ed? Why can't these people think for themselves. Having one superintendent is the best idea & many of these BOE members campaigned on that exact idea. Joe Vicari has all of them brainwashed or scared.
Mike Daly
11:37 pm on Monday, April 23, 2012
Dr P announced tonight on his Facebook page he was approved tonight as Share Superintendent for Seaside Heights.
Another positive step to get a meaningful k-12 curriculum for CRSD.
foggyworld
10:36 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Either Dr. P is crazy or he genuinely wants to lift up the academic level of our schools and I just hope it's the latter and if it proves to be too much of a job for one person that he has the sense to raise his hand and ask for help. It is in all of our interests to see him to very well.
D.Hof
9:59 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Dr. P. is the man for the job. He puts every child in his schools before himself. He is out for the better in each and every student. He deserves this title. I'm sure it's not an easy job. It's gonna be a lot of work but he wants to take it on. He has improved Central Reg. in exponential amount of ways and there isn't anyone better. As one of Mr. P's students, back in the day, I saw first hand that he a blessing to the district. He continues to make us proud. Now having a child of my own I can't wait to see central and Berkeley Township school become one of the states and country's best schools because of Dr P!! My son has an extraordinary education to look forward to. I hope he fills the seat. Bottomline- there is no one that can do the job better. We all win. Our tax dollars are well spent, our school systems are going to soar (like Eagles) and our children will have the best education possible. Look to the future! My vote is with Dr. P! You are the man!
not playing the game
10:54 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
This man Dr P spends more dollars out of his own pockets than he spends on himself.