Frank Castrovinci Appointed to EASD Board

At a special meeting Thursday, the Easton Area School Board appointed Frank Castrovinci, who is currently running against board member Kerri Leonard-Ellison, to replace member Sarah Bilotti, .

He was sworn in immediately following the decision.

Castrovinci, who is brother to the district's human resources director John Castrovinci, said he was moved to seek the office after hearing about difficulties the district has had over the last few years. A graduate of the district, he said perhaps he was too busy being a student, but he didn't remember the district having the same sort of problems then.

“It's disheartening to see the district go through the things it has,” he said, adding that he feels finding consensus and the board working as a team is very important.

“Things are said that are counterproductive (to the team),” he said.

Castrovinci, who has a professional background in finance, pledged to continue to seek a board seat in November to complete Bilotti's term, which runs through Dec. 2013.

The appointment is only through December, as state law requires the vacant seat to be put before the electorate at the next election.

Castrovinci was chosen over former systems analyst Cathy McIntyre, who currently works part-time for the district as a lunch attendant at Tracy Elementary School.

“That six months was amazing...those things a parent doesn't get to see,” she said. “I just feel like I can add my knowledge and skills, as a parent, and now an employee. I just think I have a rounded set of knowledge that I think will complement the board.”

If appointed, she pledged to resign from her position at Tracy Elementary immediately and seek to complete the term by running for its remainder in November's election.

Before the board voted, several members of the public objected to both applicants, saying their ties to the district made them inappropriate.

“I have a problem with both candidates,” said resident Curt Ehly. “This district is incredible when it comes to nepotism and cronyism.”

Resident Noel Jones agreed, saying even if the board wasn't choosing on that basis, the perception was still there.

“This district is rife with lack of trust,” she said.

They, and several other members of the public, asked for the matter to be tabled and more candidates to be sought.

Several board members, including board president Kerry Myers said the accusation was unfair and offensive, particularly to those who have large families that have been in the area for generations.

Myers said that as one of 15 children in his immediate family and with 149 members of his extended family in the Lehigh Valley, it would be nearly impossible for him to entirely avoid all of them.

He added that he's often questioned things that look like nepotism in his time serving on the school board.

Board member Pat Fisher echoed the sentiment, saying that most of her family was in education, though not necessarily in Easton, and it would be impossible not to run into them sometimes.

Board solicitor John Freund said the board had to appoint someone to fill the position within 30 of Bilotti's resignation, or the matter would be turned over to the courts to fill the vacancy as proscribed by state law.

With little further discussion, Castrovinci was appointed 7-1, with Leonard-Ellison voting against the appointment. Member Pat Vulcano was not present due to a health issue.

Member Jennifer Holzberger, during the board's regular meeting due to her husband's job transfer to England, said both applicants were worthy regardless of their relationships to the district.

“I was shocked that only two people showed up...It really goes to show you, it's a thankless job,” she said. “Even if they're related to someone else in the district, how can you blame them? They stepped up and volunteered to do a job no one else wants to do.”

Holzberger added that despite the ties, it's not often that it would matter.

“It's few and far in between that family or conflict of interest is a problem,” she said.

The board will go through the same process again at a special meeting on Aug. 18 to appoint a replacement for Holzberger's District III slot, who will also serve until the end of the year.