HARRISON –
Whether Harrison Schools Superintendent James Doran will return to his job remained in limbo as of last week. Board of Education members met June 25 in hopes of resolving the unsettled issue but came away empty. Doran’s contract was to expire June 30, the end of the school year. He’s been at the district’s helm for the past five years.
At stake, aside from the question of who would lead the district if Doran departs, is the salary for the chief school administrator, which is regulated by state law. If he stays, Doran – whose current pay is more than $200,000 a year – would have to take a big cut in salary in order for the district to comply with the mandated pay restrictions keyed to a district’s enrollment.
Also up in the air is a new contract for Christine Griffin, the board secretary/business administrator.
But the school board did come to terms with two other school officials, one an educator and the other in the business office.
It reappointed Michael R. Pichowicz as assistant school board administrator, tendering him a one-year contract running through June 30, 2015, at a yearly salary of $173,748, reflecting a 2% increase from his previous salary.
And it ratified the appointment of Michael Landy as principal assigned to Washington Middle School for the 2014-15 school year, at an annual pay of $131,626. Landy, who also serves as a member of the Kearny Town Council, had been serving as the school’s “administrator-in- charge.”
At the meeting, Doran announced that the opening of the community pool at Washington School for the summer season was slated for July 1 and that the pool would have afternoon hours on July 4. The pool is available for use, at a nominal fee, for both adults and children. Swimming lessons are provided for $10.
In other summer activities, the Harrison Recreation Volleyball Camp is running at the Harrison High School gym, July 1 to Aug. 7; and the Harrison Recreation Tennis Camp will operate at the high school tennis courts, July 7 to Aug. 1.
– Ron Leir
