The Alternative Press

SUMMIT, NJ—A three-year agreement that will give Summit’s school supervisors salary increases averaging 1.25 percent the first year and 1.75 percent the next two years of their contract was unanimously approved by the Summit Board of Education on Thursday.

District Director of Human Resources Kenneth Shulack said the accord also provides that the newer point of service medical plan rather than the traditional professional provider organization plan will cover all of the supervisors. This plan is thought to be more cost effective for the district.

In addition, Shulack added, supervisors, like other state employees, will contribute more to the costs of their health coverage.

He noted this pact is the last of the district’s collective bargaining agreements to be settled.

The board also authorized $2,500 to hire Whitehall Associates, Inc. of Kinnelon to do a second demographics study of the city’s schools.

Ross Haber, hired early this year by the board, presented a demographics study this spring and a number of residents advised that a second approach would give the board a broader focus upon which to make future decisions regarding an district realignments or other measures to meet increases and other changes in school population.

On Thursday Superintendent of Schools Nathan Parker said the hiring of Whitehall did not represent dissatisfaction with Haber but rather a desire to get a different approach to the study.

In another action, the school body approved $20,900 for the architectural services of EI Associates in connection with the installation and utility hookup for temporary modular classroom units at Franklin School and $35,879 for rental of the modular units from ModSpace of Woodbridge.

Parker said the units, which are being brought in to deal with space issues at the school, should be installed before Thanksgiving.

Ed Mokuvos, who chairs the board’s operations committee, said although state regulations allow the modular units to remain in place for two years before a new authorization is given, the Summit board has not yet determined how long they will be needed.

He added the funds approved on Thursday probably would not be the only amount allocated for the modular units.

In another action, the board approved the hiring of Karen Greco as district communications specialist, effective September 1 of this year until August 31 of next year at a salary of $62,000.

Greco replaces Catherine Fernandez, who retired this year after 25 years with the district.

The superintendent noted Greco has 13 years of media experience with such organizations as CBS television, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Good Morning America and a number of family magazines.

Also approved were $1,500 merit increases for the 2012-2013 school year for Assistant Business Administrator Donna Schneider and Angelo Palumbo, manager of buildings and grounds.

The school body also approved a number of teaching and coaching positions, including the hiring of David White as head boys’ varsity basketball coach at the high school for $9,932.