A new direction for Sparta's Board of Education - Old ways thrown overboard as new leaders chart fresh course

Sparta — It was smooth sailing this week as three new board of education members were sworn in and new leaders stepped up to the helm. And for the first time in a while, there was no police officer at the door, and no attorney at the front table. Two weeks ago voters ousted incumbents former president and vice president, Michael Schiavoni and Richard Sullivan, and elected Adam Dempsey, Jennifer Dericks, and Philip Guarraia by the widest vote margins in board history. At Monday’s meeting the new board elected Kevin Pollison as president and Jennifer Dericks as vice president, both in 5-4 votes. “This board needs to move away from the concept of a majority of five and a minority of four. We need to be a majority of nine focused on the students and teachers of this district. It is my wish that everyone gets on board with this concept,” said Pollison in an interview on Tuesday. Board Member Dr. Michael Schill concurs with Pollison, “We need to move away from this idea of majorities and minorities. We will all have differences of opinion but now we need to focus on the kids and the construction. I’m looking forward to a fruitful and productive year.” Dericks said in an interview, “I’d really like to see the board function the way it’s supposed to, in order to put the focus back on the education of our students.” After taking the gavel Monday, Pollison began steering the new board away from some former practices and procedures which were the subject of controversy and contention in the last two years. One of the biggest changes involves the committee structure. District policy requires three standing board committees beyond which the board president can create or dismantle “ad hoc” committees as needed. Pollison said, “For now we will have only three.” Previously, there were seven committees with board members as chairs, which created criticism by some that the board was micromanaging the district. Instead, the three committees will now be led by school administrators. Pollison announced the Curriculum Committee will be chaired by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Monks and will include Jennifer Dericks, Adam Dempsey, and Paul Johnson. The Personnel (HR) Committee will be chaired by Superintendent Dr. Thomas Morton and will include Keith Smith, Mike Schill, and Karen Scott. The Operations Committee will be chaired by Interim Business Administrator Dr. Warren Ceruvels and will include Kevin Pollison, Philip Guarraia, and Linda Curcio. Another area of controversy which caused board/administration disagreements and frequent public criticism since 2006 was the hiring of Morris, Downing, and Sherrod as supplemental attorneys in addition to the board’s primary attorneys of record. Instead, the new board resolved to hire only the firm of Fogarty and Hara, Sparta’s primary attorneys since 2002, as well as Jamie Pelosia as construction attorney for the high school renovation project. Pollison said the issue of a supplemental attorney had been a flash-point for the community and that, “The public has indicated they want to move in another direction.” The motion passed 8-1, with Paul Johnson voting no. Morton offered a number of new ideas and initiatives for the board to consider, including new safety procedures to protect high school students walking on West Mountain Road, and the possibility of accepting tuition students into the district for the considerable extra revenue it could provide for the schools. Morton also announced that with the board’s approval, he would begin to advertise for a new high school principal in the hope he can bring several choices to the board by the end of this school year. “I feel re-charged at the prospect of working with this new board. My goal has always been to focus on the educational betterment of the children in this community. But in the last two years, I’ve had to face distractions and obstacles that thwarted that goal. I truly believe the way is now clear to move forward in a unified way to fulfill the high potential of this district,” said Morton. He added that he welcomes feedback, suggestions, and ideas from the community. Citizens applauded at the end of the meeting, expressing confidence the new board had set sail full speed ahead, but on calmer waters.