Kean, Munoz Side With Christie Regarding Superintendent Cap

Legislators say cap is needed to reduce property taxes.

Two state legislators living in towns challenging Gov. Chris Christie’s salary cap for schools superintendents said they stand behind the governor’s policy. Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. (R-Westfield) and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz (R-Summit) said they understand why their hometowns are challenging the cap, which goes into effect on Feb. 7 but will be siding with Christie. Both Westfield and Summit have approved new contracts for their schools superintendents that are over the cap Christie proposed. “I support the cap,” said Kean, who has two children in the Westfield public schools. “The governor is out to control costs.” Kean, who is a Christie ally, said all levels of government need to work on cost control and that school …

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Centuolo Not Reappointed by Christie

Governor continues makeover of state education system, ousts County Superintendent who blocked new Dolan contract.

Gov. Chris Christie continued his makeover of the state’s education system by not renewing the contract of Union County Executive Schools Superintendent Carmen Centuolo. Centuolo, best known in Westfield for blocking the new contract awarded by the BOE to Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan, will leave office Friday, when her three-year term expires, state education department spokesman Alan Guenther confirmed. Last week, seven county superintendents around the state were relieved of their posts when their contracts expired. Centuolo notified local superintendents in the county on Wednesday that she had been dismissed. Patch has learned that Centuolo was told of Christie's decision by email Tuesday evening, after she had made a …

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Patch Picks: Best of 2010

Union County’s Most Interesting People of 2010

From wounded Marines to political junkies, activist teachers and activist governors, the faces of 2010 will have a lasting impact on 2011.

Governor Chris Christie wants our money back. And he's got Carmen Centuolo to help him reclaim it. Frank Bottone is leaving the gridiron after 48 years, while Michael Brattole gave his all on the battlefields of Afghanistan. From politicians to just regular folks determined to make a difference around the world, Union County residents have kept everyone talking. In no particular order, here are 2010's most interesting people in the county. CHRIS CHRISTIE AND CARMEN CENTUOLO As the Governor and the Union County Executive Superintendent work to implement the salary cap of $175,000 on school superintendents' annual salaries, district boards of education try to get new contracts finalized and grandfathered before the February deadline. …

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BOE Challenges Overturned Dolan Contract

Board authorizes state appeal, claiming county official okayed deal before it was approved in November.

The Board of Education voted Tuesday evening to appeal a ruling that overturned its new contract for Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan to the acting state education commissioner. The BOE is basing its appeal on the assertion that County Executive Schools Superintendent Carmen Centuolo approved the deal before the BOE voted at its Nov. 9 meeting. Centuolo overturned the contract on Dec. 2, saying she had not approved the contract before the November meeting. BOE President Julia Walker, in remarks before the board, said board attorney Phil Stern sent the draft contract to Centuolo before the Nov. 9 meeting. She said Centuolo's raised a question about the contract's language pertaining to health benefits, not to Dolan's compensation. "…

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BOE Feared Dolan Retirement During Contract Talks

Question from audience prompts Walker to comment on negotiations over superintendent's overturned contract.

Tuesday night's Board of Education agenda focused on the district's new strategic plan, how to pay for roof repairs in schools and how to find new revenue streams to pay for district-wide initiatives. But most in attendance were waiting to see if the public forum would reveal news about the BOE's  contract extension for Schools Superintendent Margaret Dolan. Dolan's contract expires this summer, but her extension became news Friday when it was overturned by County Executive Schools Superintendent Carmen Centuolo because it circumvented Governor Chris Christie's mandate to cap salaries for superintendents.  "Whether you like it or not, the gentleman who is referred to as the 'bully of Trenton' sets the goals. He's limiting the salaries …

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John Celock

11:04 am on Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Mr. Blake, from the materials I have read regarding Dr. Dolan's original contract, the contract expires on June 30, 2011. This would place the one year at June 30, 2010 for notifying her if the BOE intended to not retain her. Thank you for your comment. John   more ›