Monroe names new schools superintendent after months of turmoil
MONROE – After months of controversy and turmoil, the school district has a new permanent schools superintendent.
The district also has a new acting business administrator and security chief.
By a 6-2 vote with one abstention, the school board on Wednesday appointed acting superintendent Chari Chanley as permanent superintendent on a three-year contract. The no votes were cast by Michele Arminio and Paul Rutsky, Jamesburg's representative to the board for eight years, who is resigning his seat. Kate Rattner abstained from the vote and Katie Fabiano was absent.
Chanley, who will mark her 20th anniversary with the school district in August, will receive an annual salary of $200,000, plus $1,405 in longevity for the current school year, $204,000 plus $1,705 in longevity for the 2023-24 school year and $208,080 plus $1,705 in longevity for the 2024-25 school year.
The board also approved the appointment of assistant business administrator Laura Allen as acting business administrator at an annual base salary of $142,173, plus $2,475 for having a Certified Public Accountant License and $1,000 in longevity. Business administrator Michael Gorski was placed on administrative leave in April. Because it's a personnel matter, school officials have not disclosed why Gorski was suspended.
The district's operating budget for the 2022-23 school year is $134.8 million with an estimated enrollment of 6,977 students in eight schools.
The board also appointed Edward Selby as the district's director of security at an annual salary of $75,821.26. Selby, who has worked as a lead security officer in the East Brunswick School District for 10 years, replaces Peter Piro who resigned on July 16. Selby is a former detective and patrol officer.
"He's going to do a great job and will be a fabulous asset," Chanley said, adding that the school district needs to update and review its security procedures.
"We can't do the same old, same old," she said.
Earlier:Monroe Township School District turmoil boils over with lawsuit
Chanley becomes the district's seventh superintendent in a dozen years.
She replaces Dori Alvich, the district's first female superintendent, who announced her retirement last summer. Chanley was appointed acting superintendent when Alvich's retirement became official on Nov. 1.
Chanley had been principal of the district's middle school since 2008 before becoming acting superintendent. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from New York University, a master’s in Education from Monmouth University and is pursuing her doctorate from Rowan University. She also sits on the board of directors of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey.
The board's appointment of Chanley came two days after Superior Court Judge Michael Toto in Middlesex County ruled that lawsuits' allegations of board members' ethics violations in May votes extending Chanley's contract as acting superintendent and extending Gorski's suspension should be heard not in court, but by either the state School Ethics Commission or the Commissioner of Education.
There are already eight pending cases before the School Ethics Commission involving alleged ethics violations by four school board members.
Chanley's appointment came after months turmoil in the school district marked by social media posts targeting her and the school board members with the alleged conflicts of interest.
Chrissy Skurbe, president of the board, said the social media posts targeting Chanley have been "absolutely disgusting" and contained lies and misinformation. She said the posts constituted "harassment and intimidation."
"Everything this board did was lawful," she said.
The school district hired the New Jersey School Boards Association to assist the board in the selection of a new superintendent.
The vote to appoint Chanley was met with applause at the school board meeting.
Skurbe thanked Chanley for choosing to continue in the school district.
"With your expertise, experience and background, we know you will lead Monroe forward," Skurbe said, adding that Chanley had exhibited "excitement and positivity" in her eight months as acting superintendent.
Email: mdeak@mycentraljersey.com
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Monroe Township School District names Chari Chanley new superintendent
