February 27, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3
Franklin Lakes
Search for Woodside principal gets complicated
by Frank J. McMahon The search for a new principal for the Woodside Avenue School in the Franklin Lakes K-8 School District recently became more complicated now that the former principal has reapplied for the job. A Feb. 15 press release issued by the school board and administration announced that former WAS Principal Dominick Rotante had voluntarily dismissed his lawsuit against Superintendent Frank Romano and the board of education “without prejudice,” which means the dismissal is not based on the merits in the case, and the lawsuit could be reinstated in the future. The press release stated that the board and the superintendent are pleased that the litigation is “now concluded” and that “the board and the administration have set forth an ambitious agenda of educational priorities for this school year, which includes the search and selection of a new principal for the Woodside Avenue School.” Richard Meisner, the attorney representing Rotante, advised that the lawsuit has not concluded and his client has only temporarily withdrawn his lawsuit while he reapplies for his former position. Rotante’s lawsuit had sought to overturn the separation agreement he signed with the school district on Aug. 13, 2012. Under the terms of that agreement, he was granted a leave of absence with full pay until June 30, 2013, at which time he agreed to resign from the district. At that time, his leave of absence and resignation were described as being “for personal reasons.” Meisner said Rotante claims in his lawsuit that the separation agreement was fraudulent because it was based on information from Romano at the time that a grievance had been filed against him and if he did not sign the separation agreement he could be fired for cause. Meisner said that information turned out to be wrong, and Rotante believes he was tricked into signing the separation agreement. According to Meisner, when Rotante learned that the district’s search for a new principal was not successful and a new search was being undertaken, he decided to submit his application, along with some previous positive performance reviews, directly to the nine school board trustees. Meisner explained that Rotante thought it would be unfair and inappropriate to be applying for a position in the district while he had a pending lawsuit against the superintendent and the board, and decided to withdraw the suit until he sees if he will get a fair hearing of his application. “He didn’t drop the lawsuit,” Meisner said. “He temporarily withdrew the lawsuit solely for the purpose of giving the board an opportunity of interviewing him. If he gets a fair interview, a fair look, that’s fine, whether he gets the job or not. If they don’t interview him, he will be re-filing the lawsuit.” Asked why Rotante would want to return to his former job, Meisner explained that he is a qualified candidate for the position and the board has not been successful in finding a qualified candidate, so he wants a fair hearing on his application for the position. Romano pointed out that Rotante’s application was submitted directly to the members of the board, while it is the district’s policy to only accept applications for employment online through its AppliTrack System. In addition, Romano
said the separation agreement signed by Rotante states that the former principal can never return to any employment or service with the board as an employee, or as an independent contractor, and that he agreed never to apply for any position with the board at any time after the execution of that separation agreement. The school district has been looking for a new principal since Rotante, who had served as principal for eight years, signed his separation agreement. In a January letter to the school community, Romano advised that he had led the staff and the school community and principal profile forums, the administrative screenings of approximately 70 application packets, the representative committee interviews of eight candidates, and the representative board level interviews of two finalists. Romano explained at the time that, while there was an internal candidate who was considered a “superstar,” that candidate did not have the practical experience the screeners and interviewers would like in a candidate, and reopened the search. Romano advised recently that 40-plus new applicants are now being screened for the position and the second round of interviews by the representative committee of 10 is scheduled for March 5. He said he is committed to the search and he intends to identify a permanent school principal by April. That educator would begin on or around July 1, 2013.
The Franklin Lakes Republican Club will meet Monday, March 4 at 7:45 p.m. in the Franklin Lakes Ambulance Corps Building on Bender Court. Bergen County Sheriff Michael Saudino will be the featured speaker. The club
Michael Saudino to address club
will also vote to nominate its candidates for borough council in the November election. All current members are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served. For details, contact Pete Swist at (201) 337-5140.