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Board Of Education Fires Interim Superintendent
Acting Superintendent Persi Let Go By 5-2 Vote
By Keith Hagarty
It didn't take long for the new Township Board of Education to make their mark. Interim Superintendent Melindo Persi was relieved of his duties last week by a vote of 5 to 2.
Pointing to displeasure over Persi's decision to close two of the district's schools, a decision made in an attempt to close a $3 million-plus budget gap this year, the board's decision to terminate Persi's contract came after an extensive closed-session meeting at its annual organization meeting.
Following the vote, the board moved quickly to name his successor, former school Assistant Superintendent Mary Ann Ceres, as the district's new interim superintendent.
Ceres is no stranger to Brick's school system, having served in the district in an administrative role for 20 years before retiring in 2005. Her interim contract could take her into July.
The board will soon begin the search for a permanent superintendent, announcing plans to advertise for the position next week.
Newly appointed board President Daniel Woska voted in favor of the move, along with board Vice President Virginia Reinhold and recently-elected board members Vicky Leone, Michael J. Pifko and Kim Terebush. The two board members voting against Persi's removal were board members Allen Atheras and former board President Cynthia McCarthy.
Persi was appointed as interim superintendent less than a year ago on June 19, 2007, and previously served as the district's interim business administrator.
Although his interim contract was scheduled to expire in November, Persi indicated plans to filea lawsuit against the board's dismissal of his service. He has retained legal representation from attorney Robert C. Shea, of the Toms River-based law firm, R.C. Shea & Associates.
Persi could not be reached for further comment by press time.
In addition to issues involving the planned closings of the Primary Learning Center and Laurelton School, the fiveboard members voting to remove Persi explained their decision also focused on the needs of the district and what they perceive as the inability of an interim superintendent to adequately handle the long-term task.
On April 15, Brick voters sent a clear message to the board that change was needed when three first-time candidates, Pifko, Leone and Terebrush, were all elected to the board of education, while the proposed $141 million budget and two special questions seeking nearly $600,000 in funding for an security administrative position and technology upgrades were overwhelmingly rejected.
The defeated $141 million budget was $7.8 million more than last year, an 8.2 increase, and called for a 9.8-cent tax rate increase per $100 of assessed property value on a home. If approved by voters, the increase would mean a Brick homeowner with a property assessed at $134,000 would have paid about $130 more per year.
Last year, voters overwhelmingly approved the district's $120 million 2007- 2008 school budget, and its accompanying 6.26-cent tax rate increase by a vote of 5,944 votes to 3,762.
Three incumbents all saw their service to the district end last month when voters picked three new faces to sit on the board.
For two available board seats of threeyear terms, Leone proved to be the leading vote-getter with 4,012 votes, or 28 percent, with Pifko finishing with 3,728, or 26 percent of the vote. While incumbents Frank Pannucci gained 3,576 votes, or 25 percent, and fellow incumbent Dan Rosa only got 3,216 votes, or 22 percent.
In a more tightly contested battle for the available one-year term on the board, Terebrush received 3,690, or 52 percent of the vote, while incumbent, Edward McBride, took in 3,359 votes, or 48 percent.
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