February 12, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 5 Midland Park School district names buildings & grounds supervisor A new administrator will take over the position of buildings and grounds supervi- sor in the Midland Park School District as of March 1. The permanent position had been vacant since Christopher Swank resigned his $85,000 a year post for personal rea- sons effective Jan. 17 after 10 months on the job. The board of education last week appointed Scott Collins to the position at a salary of $98,000 a year, prorated effec- tive March 1 through June 30. Collins has been the operations manager of facilities for the Bloomfield Public Schools since 2011, and was previously the manager of residency and community relations for that district. Board President William Sul- livan said Collins wanted the opportunity to head up both the custodial and mainte- nance departments. “Mr. Collins brings a strong experiential background to his work in Midland Park, Snow day options weighed This winter’s stormy weather has already left the Midland Park School District two days short on its snow days for the 2013- 14 school year, and the board of education will soon be grappling with when to make them up. According to board of education Presi- dent William Sullivan, the board’s Cur- riculum Committee will be discussing the options this week and make a recommenda- tion to the full board. The schools were closed due to inclem- ent weather on Jan. 3, Jan. 22, Feb. 3, and Feb. 5 and were dismissed early on Jan. 21. Only two snow days were built into this school year’s calendar. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella pointed out that the board- approved calendar indicates that the school calendar may be extended beyond the last day of school listed, and cautions that plans that cannot be changed should never be made to include weekdays in June. “The calendar does indicate days may be added to the end of the school year, but anything is possible, including taking a portion of the spring recess away,” Sullivan said, adding: “We don’t want to impact the June 20th graduation, but if this winter con- tinues on the same course, it’s a possibility. Most school districts in North Jersey will be faced with the same dilemma,” he added. “Any change to the calendar has to be approved by the full board,” Sullivan said. Pre-registration announced The Midland Park School District advises parents of prospective kindergar- ten students that pre-registration will be conducted by phone through Feb. 13. Par- ents may call (201) 445-5350 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. or from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Parents of students with last names beginning with letters A through M may call on Monday or Wednesday; those with students whose last names begin with letters N through Z may call on Tuesday or Thursday. Children will be scheduled for full regis- tration and skills screening during the week of March 10. To be eligible for enrollment, a child must be five years old before Oct. 1, 2014. and his candidacy was distinguished by an established record of success in his prior district and excellent recommendations. We look forward to welcoming him to the administrative team,” commented Superin- tendent of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella. She said about 20 applicants were considered. Collins will handle the administra- tion and management of the buildings and grounds operation, including maintenance of facilities, custodial operations and con- struction activities in the district. He will also coordinate the busing schedule along with the assignment of drivers and aides. Sullivan said that if the district is able to perform any building upgrades, Collins will be working with the contractors to coordinate and secure access to those areas of the facilities that will be worked on. The board president had said previously that an important component is that the supervisor work hands-on as part of the maintenance staff. “I did ask whether he can ‘handle a screwdriver’ and was assured that he is a hands-on manager. His staff should respect and appreciate that fact,” commented Sul- livan. Collins earned a BS in business admin- istration from Seton Hall University and holds state credentials as a certified edu- cational facilities manager. In addition, he won national recognition with the EPA Energy Star National Battle of the Build- ings for energy savings. He had both the No.1 and No.10 buildings in the nation and was responsible for other buildings that had a 20 percent or better reduction in energy usage. Collins is the fifth man to hold the dis- trict’s buildings and grounds position since the retirement of Sam Schaper in Decem- ber, 2008 after more than 30 years of ser- vice.