TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON—Dr. Frank Romano III of Washington Township was selected, 6-0, as Westwood Regional School District Board of Education president at the June 30 meeting.
The move allows communication with the board following the resignation, accepted at the same meeting, of the township’s Matthew Perrapato, who weathered a firestorm in recent meetings over a statement he gave district families as board president May 10 in an update on the search for a new superintendent of schools.
Most recently, Westwood trustees Michael Pontillo and Michelle Sembler had accused Perrapato of plagiarism, alleging that he had copied a congratulatory departure letter for Superintendent Raymond González from that of a different district involving other personnel.
Perrapato said that he copied the letter while awaiting the birth of his third son, and apologized. (See “Plagiarism Charges Against President Divide Regional Board,” Pascack Press, May 31.)
In the discussion that followed, board attorney Rodney Hara agreed with trustee Roberta Hanlon’s position that the board president has the power to send out statements on behalf of the board.
Hara also suggested that although members can disagree on the point, this instance of repurposing a different district’s memo was “not violative of any legal provision or code of conduct.”
The issue roiled the board and community for weeks. Westwood Regional School District comprises the Township of Washington and the Borough of Westwood.
Pontillo, who had called for Perrapato to resign, told Pascack Press on July 1 that board members received a brief email from Perrapato announcing his resignation.
Perrapato did not attend the June 30 meeting. Pontillo said the email noted Perrapato—who is employed in a different school district—was resigning due to family and work responsibilities.
Perrapato confirmed this to Pascack Press on July 1, adding in part, “Please know I deeply appreciate my time on this board and the valuable lessons it’s provided.”
We reached out to Romano and board business administrator Keith Rosado, for comment and did not hear back by press time.
Web update, July 5: On July 1 after press time, Romano told Pascack Press, “I’m happy to serve our district during this time of significant transition, and I appreciate my colleagues’ confidence in me. The Board’s immediate priorities lie with supporting Dr. Jill Mortimer as she transitions into the acting superintendent role, and filling the open Township seat swiftly yet responsibly. The deadline for candidate applications is set for Friday, July 16 with the hope of interviewing and deliberating on July 22.”
He added, “After that, we must remain focused on the permanent superintendent position that follows. One of the many benefits of having Dr. Mortimer take the lead is that both the board and the district may continue our good work with little to no disruption.”
Of Perappato’s resignation, Pontillo said “I think he made the right choice and I support his choice to step down. I wish him the best of luck.”
A candidate from Washington Township to replace Perrapato must be selected within approximately 60 days, said Pontillo. He said Rosado was confirming whether the new appointment would serve through 2021 or 2022.
Pontillo said Romano “has the respect of all his colleagues on the board” and noted he received a round of applause from the Campbell Auditorium audience after the vote selecting him.
Romano is an experienced educator and retired superintendent. In campaign outreach in 2018, he posted in part, “I have received a number of requests for my opinion on our board’s communication and engagement practices, and I’ve been asked to share my own from experience. My response: With any organization, there is always room for improvement.”
He said, “I’ve developed expertise in a variety of areas, including school budgeting, community engagement, construction management, education policy, technology integration, personnel, program and instruction in both general and special education, safety and security, team building, and strategic planning.”
The board next meets July 22 from 6 to 7 p.m. over a contract matter with the assistant superintendent of schools, then launches into its public meeting.