Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Dr. O’Malley’s Team

Since April, Dr. O’Malley and the Matawan-Aberdeen BOE have made the following appointments:

  • Robert Schweitzer, Director of Special Services, replaces Helen Rappaport, who lacked proper certification for 18 years
  • Greg Farley, Director of Technology, replaces Barbra Cholewa, who was promoted to the position from secretary and only had a high school degree
  • David Rubin, school board attorney, replaces Michael Gross, who served the district for over a decade and represented the district in several avoidable legal conflicts
  • Brian Farrell, Principal of Cliffwood Elementary, replaces Kelly Bera, who is now Principal of Strathmore Elementary, following Ken Smith’s retirement
  • Michelle Ruscavage, Principal of Matawan Regional High School, was given tenure
  • Kathleen Olsen, Principal of Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School, was given tenure
Last year, Kim Honnick, former Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, had her position eliminated, Pat Janover was appointed principal of Ravine Drive Elementary, and Jessie Zitarosa and Margaret De Luca were appointed Directors of Accountability.

Dr. O’Malley has his team. Soon, he will have defined goals.

Those goals will fall into three categories – educational, financial, and special projects. Within two weeks, I expect to post a draft compensation plan that will tie district goals to Dr. O’Malley’s compensation. I strongly believe that properly structured financial incentives improve performance.

In the meantime, the goal garnering the most attention, due to the recent raises, is financial. For example, Mr. Rubin charges $160 per hour compared to his predecessor who was only charging $130 an hour.

However, it would be wrong to assume that both individuals would charge the same number of hours given identical assignments or that they would provide the identical service. I firmly believe we will receive outstanding legal counsel and our legal costs will drop. In fact, I will give 10 to 1 odds to anyone who wishes to wager (proceeds going to charity) that legal costs will increase.

There have also been concerns that Mr. Schweitzer’s experience as a state monitor ill-equips him for the position. Once again, I’ll wager that we have fewer complaints, fewer lawsuits, and fewer out-district placements.

The focus needs to remain on goals. In West Point, the cadets are only allowed three responses during early training – “Yes, Sir”, “No, Sir”, “No Excuses, Sir”. This past year, we saw several initiatives, more public data, and no tax levy increase. Next year, we’ll be expecting more and hold Dr. O’Malley and the school board accountable.
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63 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's a couple of wagers...I bet you leave the BOE after one term. I bet your child never goes to MARSD. I bet you continue to talk out the side of your mouth.

Anonymous said...

I know this is probably not your area of "expertise", but speaking of teams, how do you feel about the state of our athletic programs? I'm not sure if you're aware, but we have lost our best athletes the past few years to our neighboring parochial schools. Their reasons for attending these schools are primarily b/c of displeasure with many of the varsity coaches. Do you see a conflict of interest with the AD being the head football coach?

gladuwokeupfinally said...

Is someone trying to say that Coach Martucci and his programs are far too costly and do not serve the student body and taxpayers well? Where have you been the last twenty years of Gorilla Joe's dismal career? I played for Barry Rizzo and Joe Martucci is no Barry Rizzo.

Sidelines used to be the only place people complained about bad coaches, expensive programs,lack of quality scholarships and the total lack of winning seasons. Have we finally entered the digital age with our disdain?

Aberdeener said...

Actually, we spent quite a bit of time discussing the athletic program at last Monday's board meeting.

Of particular concern was that untenured coaching positions had about the same rate of turnover as teaching positions. Despite many teams having a multi-year losing streak, over 90% of coaches were on tier 3 of the pay scale, the highest level.

The administration faults the low-turnover to the lack of qualified applicants. We need to get more locals certified and more competition for these coaching positions.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener-

Dr. O's team is very interesting. Every principal mentioned but one. She is not part of the team? As it relates to coaching-teachers are discouraged from applying for any stipended position if it is not vacant. No additional applicants- no competition.

Anonymous said...

For years people have been complaining about the fact that Matawan only cares about its football program and not the others. If this is a perception then it is time to change that perception. If it is true the same applies. The head football coach should not be the AD but one who takes an interest in getting the most for all athletes and students. No one will apply for positions as long as Joes boys have the positions and the unions protect the jobs for themselves. This will never change in Matawan and the administration and board will never touch it.

Aberdeener said...

As for the team, I only listed those people where O'Malley changed the status quo. Regarding coaching applicants, the teachers union restrains teachers so we need a program to certify locals who would consider applying but lack certification.

Anonymous said...

Many more teachers who may do a better job also do not apply when a fellow teacher has the position and are "encouraged" by the union not to apply. Many coaches have been in the positions for years without improving the programs and we lose many good students and athletes to other schools. Matawan has a lot of talent, lets try to keep it and make our students and community proud.

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
When you wanted to be on the board of education and was making a big deal about ethics you did not approve of a board members (not paid) daughter getting a minimum wage part time job in the school system. Now you have no problem allowing the athletic director, the one who decides who gets the jobs, when they work and how much they work, to hire his son, with the same name, for crowd control for $82.50 a game or about $41.50 an hour. So much for ethics when it doesn't serve your agenda. You can't come up with a good excuse for this one, or will you?

Anonymous said...

Crowd control does not pay that much.

Aberdeener said...

I'm sorry you weren't at Monday's board meeting but I did raise the issue.

The assignments haven't been finalized yet so let's see what happens.

Anonymous said...

hmmm.....
"who served the district for over a decade and represented the district in several avoidable legal conflicts..."

I wonder if this post would qualify as a potential avoidable legal conflict...

alumni and mom said...

Anonymous #2

Face facts - some of these kids were never coming to Matawan in the first place to place sports. The parents use the varsity programs as the crutch for some of their elitist views or some just want their kids to have a catholic education.

Rumson, Shore, and Red Bank Reg. have the same problems with RBC and CBA.

And for the most part - the programs have seen turnover in coaching positions. But we will still blame the coaches? If you go sport by sport - the faces HAVE changed for the most part.

Soccer, softball, boys and girls basketball, tennis, field hockey, track, cross country HAVE ALL gone through SEVERAL coaching changes in past 5 years or so... Who to blame now?

in fact, if you go past that 10-15 years, the programs have suffered under different coaches.

FEW, sports at the HS have remained the same.

Here goes Warren again, blame the teachers....

Anonymous said...

To the teacher and coach above,
Your knowledge of Matawans situation tells us you are involved. If we both agree that we have a problem then be honest and tell us what it is. If it is not the AD or the coaches why all the losing teams. Track proves year after year we have good athletes, but that is pretty much an individual effort versus team. The true team sports including football have not been making any noise in the states or winning divisions.

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't the board do just what they did for the superintendent and give the coaches 6.7% financial incentives to perform well (in advance) because, just like the superintendent, their peers are getting more. {Note: this is written in jest, the taxpayers of this town have no more money left to give.}

alumni and mom said...

In actuality, I AM an alumni mom who has lived in town for 30 years, my cousins, and brother all played for Matawan.

Unlike some on the blog who just throw out opinions, I have done research and pay attention to what goes on in my town before I run my mouth.

This conversation has come up before in our family and at the local watering holes. This was my conclusion after talking to them and former coaches.

My brother in law is also a coach at Rumson and he confirmed this years ago.

Do not belittle my post by diverting attention with the "teacher and coach" conotation.

You are right, almmost all of the teams have suffered in the recent past.

Does that mean every coach in the past 15 years is to blame? You are talking way over 40 individuals.

You are right

alumni and mom said...

Last line went in there by accident

sorry

Anonymous said...

OK so you are telling me that with Dr. O TEAM now intact, we will see results? I will give you that.

Same as in the business world, the new CEO brings in his own people.

But what about the "incompetent" people who held those positions before the new TEAM?

Dont forget that they were hired and approved by many of the same BOE members you franternize with now.

Many of them hold more than one term. Any accountability there? They had a hand in the poor choices in the first place.

O section resident 30 years said...

Bon Voyage Attorney Gross. Enjoy your vacation from ignoring the students, parents, special needs students and the taxpayers of the Matawan and Aberdeen school district. You will not be missed I assure you.

Anonymous said...

who are these incompetents?

Aberdeener said...

My comment regarding the low level of turnover among coaches is based upon the preliminary roster which lists only three coaches not earning level 3 compensation.

Anonymous said...

The word "incompetents" was used in quotes because of the fire storm their being employed in our district caused on this blog.

Anonymous said...

So most all coaches are at the top of the pay scale without getting results. Once again results do matter and the pay should be based on results. Sound familiar? Seems to be a pattern in this district.

Anonymous said...

I THINK, not sure, the pay scale is only 3 steps - so if you have been there even a short time you are at the top of the pay scale.

Anonymous said...

I do not think Mrs. Ruscavage at HS has tenure yet.

Her first year was as a replacement of a late move by the other principal.

So this past year was her first year that counts toward her tenure.

Aberdeener said...

Ms. Ruscavage receives tenure this year. The first year counts.

Anonymous said...

"Mr. Aberdeener"(J.W.) The decisions being made by the Superintendent and BOE are ridiculous. If the O'Malley truly cared about the students, he wouldn't have of asked for the $5,000 salary increase after he signed the very generous contract a year ago. Not only are budgets being cut from extracurricular activities and classrooms, but also clubs and other situations are being underfunded as it is that no one seems to care about.

The fact that Michele Ruscavage recieved tenure after a great principal in D'Anna left is a CRIME. All she is, is the puppet of Dr. O'Malley. The only time she leaves her office is if he is at the school or Glastein. She is incompetent of making decisions on her own. It is a FACT that she has pulled a student numerous times out of his class DURING SESSION to ask what should she do in a situation. She has no communication with the student body. The student AND TEACHERS' morale has hit rock bottom. I couldn't believe the lack enthusiasm towards administration by both parties the past 2 years. When D'Anna was there, he would frequently ask students and teachers how they were doing and have a safe weekend. He made everyone feel comfortable, which is a requirement for success, as opposed to the current "walking on stones" method Michele is clearly installing.
As for the TV Production teacher making $18,000 more than the previous teacher while having pretty much the same credentials.

The art department's budget was cut of $5,000 dollars. Certain advisors in other areas are being underpaid(and I don't mean sports). Speaking of Sports, the fact that the wrestling team inherited a Mat Light during the schools economic troubles is very questionable. If there is extra money around for non-essentials, don't you think that the athletic department is receiving too much money? Former President Patricia Demarest once quoted the budget as "extremely tight". The students who aren't playing sports agree with her, however, the people who are on the secret agenda of the superintendent are not complaining.
Finally, the BOE. They are responsible for the approvals O'Malley recommends. One might think with all of these approvals by the BOE putting MARSD in the wrong direction is somewhat fishy...

Aberdeener said...

There were across the board 10% cuts in discretionary spending.

Aside from that, I can't comment. As a board member, I'm not allowed to wander the halls to see for myself what's going on in the schools so my information comes from individual reports that are, by nature, unreliable, and data reports.

I will also say the levels of reported crime have dropped under her watch.

Mary said...

Crime?
What, do we live in the city?

And how can we correlate that drop in "crime" to her? WHAT ABOUT THE HEAD OF SECURITY THAT WE LET GO?

In this day and age with 3500+ students - that position is ESSENTIAL to a district, especially with all of the HIGH TECH equipment our district bought.

Who will work with that equipment now?

And we let him go for no good reason and eliminated the position. I cannot comprehend that. We got rid of that approximate 50k salary position and vote the 3 of the top administrators 35,000 in raises. Fishy?

And Mr. W, please recheck your data- I think Mrs. R first year was as a replacement. Two friends of mine who work in the district said 2 years ago she was a replacement her first year.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, otherwise known as pitty party Patty Mattern!You should retire too!

Anonymous said...

The key word is "reported" crimes. This is being manipulated to make things appear better then they are. All schools have problems but to assume she has made a difference is wrong. She commented recently that she and her staff will start roaming the halls. Three years and will start now? That should have be done all along. This team could be no better than the last one, which is why the public wants results before paying more money.

Anonymous said...

When I said crime it was figurative speaking. As a former student, I can make the judgment as other people have who are there during the day that she is not doing a good job by any standards.

MRHSFSR said...

O'Malley does not care about the district. I guarantee he will do what he did to us what he did to his former school. Get his resume improved and leave before his contract is up.

Anonymous said...

You mean get his resume improved, get his pockets full of money, and leave before he shows any results. Don't expect him to care about the district, it is about him building his resume. It all doesn't really matter if he gets results and he is a long way from that. So don't expect him to care, he already got his money, and his next job whether its in another school district or the state will pay him more based on what he makes now. Then we are stuck with his team, good or bad, and with a new superintendent the process starts all over again with that persons salary at least $185,000 or more. Thank You BOE.

Anonymous said...

What's great about this blog is all of us anonymous posters writing whatever we want without regard for the truth or having any consideration for the individuals we slander.

MRHSFSR said...

We aren't slandering anyone. We are combining facts with opinions. We are allowed to criticize appointed officials. Which is exactly what we are doing. When I said Ruscavage can't make a decision on her own, I knew ahead of time that she has asked a student for help more than once. O'Malley asked for that raise. O'Malley left his last job before the end of his contract. O'Malley has not shown any type of commitment to the students, just to the business, which he still isn't doing a good job at.

MRHSFSR said...

If Ruscavage has Tenure, then so should the principal at Ravine Drive. They were elected as principals at the same meeting. I remember everyone came to support the Ravine principal, and no one came for Ruscavage.

Aberdeener said...

Ms. Ruscavage's year as the interim principal counts towards tenure.

Anonymous said...

Hey Aberdeener, what is the board doing about drugs at the high school and middle school? Turning a blind eye approach hasn't been working.

Aberdeener said...

The board receives a report from the superintendent for every drug incident.

Reducing drug abuse is part of the superintendent's overall plan to fight crime.

MRHSFSR said...

I am starting to miss the Aberdeener who investigated and found things to oppose the board. Now with limitations, we lost leverage.

Anonymous said...

What is the superintendents plan for reducing drug use. Does that plan include drug testing similiar to Middletowns. They really wanted to do something about it and did. This superintendent would never have the guts to do something like this because talk is easier then action.

Anonymous said...

I also support drug testing in the schools.

Anonymous said...

aberdeener-

You really believe imporvements in regards to safety are a result of Ruscavage?

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
Are you in favor of random drug testing in our high schools? Specifically, how does the superintendent intend to address the drug problem in our schools and in our community.

Anonymous said...

Is anyone going to "randomly" drug test any of the teachers?

Anonymous said...

Aberdeener,
Are you not answering the above questions for a reason?

Aberdeener said...

Sorry.

Ruscavage - I believe the initiatives and coordinated efforts of Ruscavage and O'Malley led to a reduction in crime activity.

Drug Testing - I feel drug testing is invasive and the situation isn't bad enough to warrant random drug testing of all high school students. However, I do support drug testing for athletes and students who have disciplinary problems or are exhibiting unusual behavior. I don't have details of any specific plans reduce illegal drug use but I trust the data the board received.

Teachers - At the last board meeting, we asked the superintendent to confer with the attorney to write a policy recommendation for the rare case a teacher appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Anonymous said...

If you think the changes in behaviors in the HS are a result of Dr. O"Malley and Mrs. Ruscavage you better check out the history of the HS first. The changes came under D"Anna, who instituted a number of changes.

Aberdeener said...

I don't doubt D'Anna made a number of positive changes but crime has dropped significantly under O'Malley and Ruscavage.

Anonymous said...

Violence and Vandalism was at it's highest levels under D'Anna. This is the same bull cra. that the Barza people on this website continue to spew. Lie and deceive without the true facts. Check the data. You will never give O'Malley the credit he deserves.

Anonymous said...

You need to get over the "barza" thing. Their not around to blame anymore. Best to find someone else to fault or O'Malley might just have to take the heat.

Anonymous said...

If "reported" crime has dropped significantly under O'Malley and Ruscavage they deserve some credit. What programs, policies, or procedures did they put in place or change this past year to get this drastic result they seem to want the credit for?

Anonymous said...

Since Mr. Warren doesn't know, did anyone notice different procedures or policies to lower crime.

Anonymous said...

why is the aberdeener so quiet on this issue?

Anonymous said...

I guess you want every topic, real or imagined, addressed. I guess you want every detail on everything that the school does because you either don't like the current administration or current BOE for whatever reason. I do not have any of the "crime" numbers at my disposal from either the MD administration or the MR administration. I would think that you would be happy that the numbers were going down no matter who was in charge and I would think that you would be happy that the school is making advances such as three new academies starting this year. If you are not happy with these things then your agenda is not a better MRHS. The idea should be that everyone works together to make the district better for all of our students.

Anonymous said...

That is why D'Anna, Demarest, Zavorskas, Mattern, Quinn, McAleer and Gambino are the only ones on this blog. They care about themselves and not the district.

Anonymous said...

That is a funny bunch to group together. So are you saying that anyone on this blog only cares about themselves????Except of course for you, whoever you are.

linda said...

you know what....every one runs their mouth,but refuses to get off their buts and make good effort to inform. the masses what you are so passionet about!

I do not blame O Maley for bettering himself and getting as far away from this dog and pony show.......
The office of special needs as well as the H.S. OFFICE AND BOE. ALL. HAVE A WICKED AGENDA. .....GIVE INCOMPATANTS A LITTLE POWER specially the he-shes and the fem fatals in such dwellings...as I mention above...I lived this here in Matawan....It is far from the american dream............I wish I never moved here.....Glad my kids are out of this crappy adminastrations. dictatorship....
i have seen a hand full of good, a few Teachers. but the rest is a freaking JOKE,SPECIALLY THE HS AND SPECIAL NEEDS.....HOW DARE THEY STILL BE DOING ,WHAT I HAVE WITTNESSED FIRST HAND AND NOW VERBALLY. GET A GRIP, chase your selffs but leave our kids alone.

Linda Ann Artist said...

you know what....every one runs their mouth,but refuses to get off their buts and make good effort to inform. the masses what you are so passionett about!

I do not blame O Maley for bettering him self and getting as far away from this dog and pony show.......
The office of special needs as well as the H.S. OFFICE AND BOE. ALL. HAVE A WICKED AGENDA. .....GIVE INCOMPATANTS A LITTLE POWER specially the he-shes and the fem fatals in such dwellings...as I mention above...I lived this here in Matawan....It is far from the american dream............I wish I never moved here.....Glad my kids are out of this crappy adminastrations. dictatorship....
i have seen a hand full of good, a few Teachers. but the rest is a freaking JOKE,SPECIALLY THE HS AND SPECIAL NEEDS.....HOW DARE THEY STILL BE DOING ,WHAT I HAVE WITTNESSED FIRST HAND AND NOW VERBALLY. GET A GRIP, chase your selffs but leave our kids alone.

Linda Chartier artist said...

sorry for multipal entries. i am on ipad did not realize it went. sorry
linda c

Anonymous said...

Are you that same crazy lady/artist that was writing all those posts that made absolutely no sense a few years ago? If so, Awesome! Finally something interesting to read on this has been's blog.

Anonymous said...

Low and behold...after O'Malley got all of his cronies appointed at Matawan and got them cushy jobs...(BTW, he got Ruscavage appointed but she has no backbone and bows to anyone above her), he padded his resume and then MOVED TO A BIGGER better paying district...just as was predicted. He's a republican hack...a MAYOR where he lives. He gives out political favors and paybacks and fires people who cross any republican who calls him. O'Malley did all this because he thought Christie would make him a DOE Commissioner. When Christie got O'Malley to do dirty work and fire people and hand out jobs...Christie no longer needed O'Malley, Christie let O'Malley hang out to dry. O'Malley screwed a ton of good working people out of jobs with the hopes of political payback...that he never got. O'Malley is political scum. He's a politician... no an educator.