Brick BOE Members Recuse Themselves From Superintendent Search

Brick Township Board of Education/Schools (Photo: Daniel Nee)

Two members of the Brick Township Board of Education have recused themselves from the process of selecting a new district superintendent.

Board President John Lamela and board member Melita Gagliardi have both recused themselves, Gagliardi said at a meeting last week. Lamela was not present at the meeting.

The decision was made “based on applicants who have responded to the job posting,” said Gagliardi.

---

Get Brick News Updates Daily Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

Lamela is an administrator in the Jackson school district and Gagliardi is a teacher in the district.

Connections with the Jackson district have been numerous in recent years. The districts contract with the same legal counsel – the Montenegro law firm of Brick – and Brick hired a former Jackson superintendent, Thomas Gialanella, as an interim superintendent and, presently, a part-time consultant.

“We will not be involved in the superintendent search so long as the conflict of interest exists,” said Gagliardi.

Superintendent Walter Uszenski’s contract ends June 30, 2018. Uszenski has been suspended since the spring of 2015. Dennis Filippone is currently serving as interim superintendent, however he has said he is not interested in keeping the post on a long-term basis.