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The board of education’s state fiscal monitor Lester Richens has overturned a board decision and effectively appointed Colleen White to a new position, according to district communications officer Christina Coloma.

Superintendent Denise Lowe recommended the appointment of White to a new position at the Jan. 22 board of education [BOE] meeting. After the motion didn’t garner enough votes to pass, Richens advised the board that he would consider overturning their decision.

The board did vote to create the new position — assistant director of test, assessment and data communication — and to approve its job description. But they fell short when it came to naming current assistant director of assessment and testing White to the new post.

The newly-created position included new duties for White, but no pay raise, according to Lowe. It is a combination of White’s previous job and the position of data systems and communication manager, from which Bob Ragan resigned this year, effective Jan. 3.

The proposed salary for the new position was $114,015, which Lowe said is equal to White’s previous salary as assistant director of assessment and testing.

White has been a controversial figure in the district. In May 2012, John Napolitani brought to light that the Asbury Park Education Association teachers’ union had voted no-confidence, 64-2, against White, in hopes that her contract would not be renewed. Napolitani is the head of the union.

Board members did not give reasons for their vote against naming White to the position, as discussing personnel in public is against board rules.

“Simply put, the district has eliminated Mr. Ragan’s position,” Richens said at the Jan. 22 meeting. “We’ve given those responsibilities to this candidate. We’ve broadened the scope of her work with no increase in her salary.”

At the Jan. 22 meeting, White’s appointment only received three yes votes, from board members Gregory Brewington, Christian Hall and Nicole Harris. To pass, four votes were required. Gregory Hopson, Qzeena Taylor and Reverend Geneva Smallwood abstained. Angela Ahbez-Ahnderson voted no.

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[Pictured above, from left: Superintendent Denise Lowe, board attorney Michael Gross, board president Angela Ahbez-Anderson, board vice president Rev. Geneva Smallwood, and board member Gregory Hopson.]

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