Superintendent search will be on board agenda
BY KATHY BARATTA
Staff Writer

MANALAPAN - The Manalapan-Englishtown School Board was scheduled to have a special meeting Thursday evening aimed at starting the search for a new schools superintendent.

School board President Anthony Manisero said that since current Superintendent of Schools Maureen Lally has informed the board she will leave her position effective June 20, 2006, the board thought it prudent to start now to bring about a smooth transition.

Manisero said New Jersey School Boards Association, Manalapan, is a professional, private-sector agent that will aid school board members in the selection of a replacement for Lally. The association will select candidates for the board members to interview.

Manisero said the reason for the meeting this week is to give board members a chance to meet to develop and discuss the criteria they will use in selecting a replacement for Lally.

Lally is leaving the position in June after having been in it for five years. She leaves on the heels of the recent delayed opening of Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School (MEMS). Lally had come under fire from parents and township officials regarding the delay. The delay was caused by construction inspection deficiencies found by township code officers performing inspections at the middle school.

Lally and school board members have maintained they were never made aware there were problems with the $17 million construction project until just days before the scheduled Sept. 11 opening. In preparation for that opening, the existing school building had undergone renovations and a new wing was constructed at the facility.

Manisero and school board member Dorothy Porcaro have stated on the record they want a full investigation of the matter.