Schools

A Letter To The Editor From The Central Regional Schools Superintendent


This is a letter to the editor from Central Regional Schools Superintendent Triantafillos Parlapanides addressing comments made about school security at the Berkeley Township Council's special meeting on Nov. 1.

Several council members - including Township Council President James J. Byrnes - attacked Central Regional officials for having only one armed police officer on duty for both Central Regional High School and Central Regional Middle School.

Although the letter was addressed to Byrnes, Parlapanides asked that it run as a letter to the editor as well.

"I am writing this letter in response to your criticism of the Central Regional School District that was posted on the Berkeley Patch.  As superintendent of the district, I always take full responsibility for any issues at the Central Regional School District because I believe that the buck stops here.

I must thank the Central Regional Board of Education members, the administration, staff, parents, and most importantly, the students, for all the positive happenings in our district.  As I am open for any criticism, do not dare to criticize board members, administration, staff, parents, or our students! 

As superintendent, I refuse to stoop to your level, but ask you one question Mr. Byrnes:  Since the Berkeley Township Council just hired a new IT person at a salary of $80,000 plus benefits - equal closer to $100,000 salary - when Central Regional provided an IT shared service person at a cost to Berkeley Township of $20,000 with no medical benefits and you are so concerned with school safety, why not put that $100,000 towards the salaries of 2 police officers, one for the middle school and one for the elementary schools? 

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If security is such a concern for yourself and other council members, then stop giving out jobs and pay raises to your friends and provide real leadership to Berkeley Township.  The students and staff at Central Regional will always be my first and most important priority here at Central and we make educated decisions on their behalf, not emotional ones."

 

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