Par Hills Principal Named New Curriculum Director

After having three different curriculum directors in four years, the Parsippany-Troy Hills School District now has a permanent director of curriculum and instruction. By a vote of 5-3, the voted to hire Dr. Nancy Gigante, now principal of , for the position.

Superintendent of Schools LeRoy Seitz praised Gigante, saying that her depth of knowledge of the district and experience in developiing curriculum would be an asset to the district. He added that she would bring in a stability that has been lacking in recent years.

Board member Susy Golderer took issue with Seitz's recommendation of the Par Hills principal, citing her salary of $160,000.

"I have no problem with the qualifications of Dr. Gigante," she said, "but I really have a problem with the salary amount. It's substantial. We need to see what our own finances are and where we're going. It's a big increase over what she currently makes."

As a principal, Gigante most recently earned about $144,000.

"Dr. Gigante brings a wealth of experience, not only as vice principal and principal in our district, but has also worked at the district level in developing curriculum," Seitz said. "She has been a driving force in moving this district forward."

Board member Michael Strumolo pondered whether Gigante was being groomed to serve as assistant superintendent.

Seitz shot down that notion.

"That position does not exist in the district," he said.

The superintendent said a number of things went into the decision to give Gigante $160,000—her experience, the vast array of duties that come with the job, and research conducted at similar school districts such as Wayne that showed that the figure was easily in line with what other curriculum directors were receiving.

"I think her compensation package is very appropriate," he said, noting that having someone in the role for the long-term and not just as an interim—who would receive $156,000 for the same job—would be of benefit to the district as a whole.

The last person to fill the role did so on an interim basis. .

Golderer said she wasn't looking at Gigante's experience and knowhow, only at what the district could afford. She illustrated her point of view by saying that while she would like to shop at Nordstrom's, she only had a Macy's budget and had to operate under that constraint.

"We have to be fiscally conservative," she said. "I understand we need to provide the best education possible for our children, but I also see my job as making sure that we work within the parameters of what Parsippany as a town can afford."

Strumolo asked if there had been an outside search for other candidates for the position.

According to Seitz, that the position was advertised and brought in about 50 applications. He said that after interviews, background checks and screenings, Gigante proved to be the best candidate for the job.

Board member Deborah Orme hailed the choice.

"Education and student achievement are the utmost goals," she said. "We're looking to increase test scores and this job is rivaled only by the superintendent and the business administration in terms of the dedication and hours they put into the position.

"I'd hate to see this district continue to lose our best and brightest."

"There are short- and long-term costs to anything we do," said Seitz. "We could bring someone in for $120,000, then after two years, they'll jump [to a district that will pay them a competitive salary]. The cost is instability in the office of curriculum.

"In the last four years, we've had three directors of curriculum," the superintendent continued. "That is not good for a district. We've had tremendous turnover due to actions in Trenton that restricted salaries and benefits. We now have an interim business administrator, an interim personnel director.

"We need people who will stay here. We need stability, someone who knows the district and has been involved in curriculum here. The board will have to decide, but the recommendation stands."

In the end, the board went with Dr. Seitz's recommendation, with Golderer, Strumolo and member Gary Martin voting against.

The contract with Gigante will be for one year. She begins in her new role Aug. 1.