Westwood School Board Appoints McCourt as Acting Superintendent
No decision has been made about Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller, who is under investigation by the board.
Rory McCourt will lead the Westwood Regional School District for the rest of the school year.
McCourt, the district's director of elementary education and technology, was officially appointed the acting superintendent by a unanimous vote from the school board during their meeting Thursday. McCourt, who had apparently already been filling the role, thanked the board.
"It truly is an extremely humbling experience," McCourt said.
McCourt's appointment lasts through June 30. His existing employment contract will remain in effect.
Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller has been out for several weeks since the board announced they were investigating him for taking home a district-owned truck and generator for Hurricane Sandy, then leaving them there while away on vacation.
Several Westwood and Washington Township residents said they had confidence in McCourt's ability to run the district. Westwood Education Association President Barry Albert, who called for Zoeller to resign, praised McCourt for his "open door policy."
"Since Mr. McCourt has come into the district, he has worked together with everyone he came in contact with," Albert said.
Many borough and township residents have also called for Zoeller to step down.
"It's just a black eye for the towns," Westwood resident Gary Conklin said.
The board has not yet made a decision about Zoeller. Board President Carol Mountain said they had completed their investigation and were in a "discussion stage." The board will make an announcement once they reach a decision, she said.
Residents urged the board to act quickly.
"Time makes people forget," Westwood resident Gus Molina said.
The board approved a new five-year contract with Zoeller last June, which takes effect July 1 next year. The contract does include a stipulation allowing for it to be terminated under certain conditions, by state law.
Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Jim Leggate at Jim.Leggate@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
disgusted with WWRSD
9:32 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
What happened to the suspension of the "unnamed employee" who they were voting on?
Louise Miller
2:24 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
He was suspended... identity remains a mystery
Not GZ
7:59 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
What is he accused of doing?
Louise Miller
2:24 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
No one knows since we don't know who it is, Cerco OR Zoeller?
eileen
7:59 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
What is the BOE waiting for? Are they incapable of decision making? Perhaps all the people on Patch who have been saying that Zoeller has the board in his pocket are correct....The taxpayers, parents, teachers and students are entitled to a solution to this issue. Enough embarrassment for the district. Also, Mr. Liddy, you owe Mr. McCourt an apology for being so rude and texting or playing with your phone while he was addressing the meeting last night. How rude!
Around The Block
5:44 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Eileen, see my comments below. Who's paying for Zoeller's and Cerco's salaries while these people take their merry old time deciding what to do with them? We are of course! How long does it take to decide what to do with a superintendent who overstepped his bounds and a director of special services who slandered subordinates in a porno novel? Should be simple, right?
Westwoodian since '91
7:26 pm on Friday, December 21, 2012
@Eileen -
Unfortunately, the whole process of removing Zoeller and "He Who Shall Not Be Named" takes longer than any of us wish, but it has to be done properly so that we're not faced with lawsuits, etc. I am confident that Mr. McCourt, with the help of the BOE WITH SOME NEW MEMBERS, will continue to move WRSD in the right direction. In many areas the school has made great progress.
Now is the time to talk to your friends and neighbors about running for a seat on the BOE. It's time for Schaadt (WW) and Koch (WT) to go. Blundo (WW) must stay. If you remember from the first meeting, he was the ONLY member who told the truth about Zoeller's "communication" during and post-Sandy. That kind of honesty will always win my vote.
Mr. Liddy was rude during the entire meeting and so were many of the other members. Not only were they rude, they thought we were idiots. I guess some think that giving us a "tax break" of $1 million this year will pay us off to forget what's happened with Zoeller and H.W.S.N.B.N. Did you notice the sneer on Mr. Liddys face when it was announced? I can assure you that this ploy on behalf of some of the members won't work.
Around The Block
5:44 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Rory McCourt is all right. He is a decent man and very capable administrator. I don't think his ego will get the best of him.
Westwoodian since '91
7:16 pm on Saturday, December 22, 2012
I think Mr. McCourt is the kind of guy that if his ego does get the better of him, he would take a gentle hint, pull back, and listen to all sides.
Donna
5:44 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Make a decision already. Enough is enough. Why are we paying people for not working?
Around The Block
5:44 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Liddy got rid of Zoeller because it was a embarrassment to him since he put Zoeller in place and, according to insiders, it was Liddy who had Zoeller in his pocket and it was Liddy who pushed Zoeller's buttons. Liddy's vanity couldn't take the embarrassment anymore of having some dork, who says kinky stuff to high school girls and who prances around in Boy Scout clothes, as superintendent. Liddy is out for himself and his own kids and could give a rat's ass about anyone else. That first board meeting after Sandy when Liddy yelled at his colleagues for voting to allow ABC News into the meeting said it all about him. He's a control freak who wants to run the district from behind the scenes to serve his own agenda, the hell with any other. Clean house of board members like Liddy, Mountain, and Koch. The others seem to have their priorities in order.
andromeda
5:44 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Mrs. Mandeville should stay as well in my opinion. She and Blundo are the only two who respect why they are sitting there. They have both been the only existing members to advocate for open work sessions. They got pounded for it by the other members and Zoeller and they basically got pounded every time they opened their mouths to express a dissenting opinion on anything. We now see why respecting the public nature of gov't business is so important. Transparency is in everyone's best interest.
Westwoodian since '91
9:20 am on Saturday, December 22, 2012
Mrs. Mandeville and Mr. Blundo are the only two people on the Board that I trust to do the right thing by all of our children. It will be interesting to see what Mr. Miller brings to the table. As for the rest, they should be voted out ASAP. Unfortunately Mr. Liddy was just elected for another 3 years.
xxx
3:43 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
RUDU59
is it true that the BOE can void Z's new contract prior to 150 days of inception for " improper conduct" or something similar? If so, there' not much time. Also, can BOE members recalled like government officials? Zo Must Go. !!! Merry Christmas to all.
EJ Lame
10:56 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
For all of you who read E L James' "50 Shades of Gray" (Cerco's book about his colleagues is almost as good!)
50 SHADES OF PAY (OFF)
On Thursday night McCourt was voted in
But are Zoeller and Cerco on the outs?
Will someone answer, "What did we win?"
Or, are we still stuck with these two big louts?
Everything was done so sneaky
As they met b'hind a closed door.
Would they dare keep this creepy
Zoeller and Cerco in place any more?
On Thursday they really told us nothin,'
Must've forgot that we voted them in.
I'm sure us taxpayers count for somethin'
For them to ignore us would truly be a sin.
During this holy time we patiently wait and see
What kind of devil's deal will be struck.
Nothing like them ruining our holiday glee
Because I don't think they really give a f---
Why can't they just go and fire their ass?
After all, it's us with whom they are messin'.
I certainly don't think it would be too crass
To teach these very sleazy creepos a lesson.
But I don't think they have the guts
To give Zoeller and Cerco what they deserve.
But they will just sit there so smug on their butts.
Though it is us neglected taxpayers that they serve.
EJ Lame
10:56 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
50 SHADES OF PAY (OFF) Continued
So, their deliberation will go on and on
And they'll decide to pay them off
Is the Board's integrity all but gone?
At their decision we will have to scoff.
That leaves us will the real culprits.
The ones who in place still remain
About us they could give two sh--ts
They will leave us with still more pain.
It will be us taxpayers to foot the bill.
Who cares about the recession?
Does anyone think the real culprits will
Have the courage to do some confessin'?
So, their deliberation will go on and on
And they'll decide to pay them off
Is the Board's integrity all but gone?
At their decision we will have to scoff.
That leaves us will the real culprits.
The ones who in place still remain
About us they could give two sh--ts
They will leave us with still more pain.
It will be us taxpayers to foot the bill.
Who cares about the recession?
Does anyone think the real culprits will
Have the courage to do some confessin'?
andromeda
10:56 pm on Sunday, December 23, 2012
I believe BOE members cannot be removed as in "impeach". I think they can be removed for violating an ethics code. There is a good case to be made for that!
Louise Miller
10:44 am on Monday, December 24, 2012
Now you are on to something Andromeda...
EJ Lame
2:21 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012
Andromeda, How do we go about doing that? They will all lie for each other. What can we get them for, hiring and encouraging Zoeller? How are we ever going to prove that?
Hardknocks
1:55 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Ethics? There are non on this board. Well maybe a few but not with their leadership group. One of their kids were busted for pot, 2 others voted against the baseball coach because both of their sons were put on the varsity. They were not good enough Paul! Roberta on a witch hunt to get coaches fired for swearing, bullitin Roberta, COACHES SWEAR! Your basketball coach turned AD was a huge abuser but you did nothing. They havetheir favorites and they have their wipping boys. Yurko was railroaded by a crazed group of parents of less talented players. At some point in every kids life that time will come where you have to realize it's time to move on. Parents have a harder time with that realization than the kids do. If a coach doesn't win he or she gets fired. Wow that sounds like life in general. If you are not good at your job you get fired. Isn't that a novel idea.
Hardknocks
1:55 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Sorry for the typos. The 2 boys were not put on varsity.
Hardknocks
2:09 pm on Sunday, December 30, 2012
Recently I met a former football coach that lasted 44 years at a local high school. He said the reason he lasted so long in he didn't give a sh..! Is that what we want for our kids? We had a winning program, over 300 wins, 2 appearances in the Bergen County finals and numerous defections to non public schools to boot. The guy is knowledgable, and passionate about baseball, what else would you want, a guy that said he played colege baseball but never left the bullpen. Telling everyone he played when he was a 4 year bullpen catcher? Is that what we want for our kids? The said guy that said he should have been fired in 2008 because he screamed at the player before Yurko came back from seeing his mother in the hospital. The same guy that said several times he could never coach at the same level as Yurko. Get rid of Zoeller, Liddy, Mountain, and Koch. Bring back Yurko Mr. McCourt!
Around The Block
12:55 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
I agree, Hardknocks. Coach Yurko got cheated out of his coaching job by a cowardly little boy who happened to find his way into a superintendent's position by kissing up to someone on the BOE and promising to get rid of people that someone, God only knows who, didn't want. Yurko wasn't what was wrong with Westwood. He was a tremendous asset. He still is as a teacher and would be more so as baseball coach again. Zoeller's reign of terror, approved by certain BOE members who had their own agenda, only brought a list of grievances against the BOE and very, very bad publicity. Cut ties with Zoeller and Cerco and bring back a great coach.
Bus Stop Talk
1:55 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Can you really imagine that Zoeller got rid of a successful coach because his ego got trampled upon? Well, I think that is what happened.
Westwoodian since '91
1:55 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Don't forget that there is a BOE meeting on Thursday, Jan 3 @ 7pm to swear in and elect new officers followed up the usual meeting at 7:30pm. I do not know if the public will be allowed to address the BOE prior to the officer elections. I would hope that the BOE would think LONG and HARD about whom they "elect" as the president and vice president.
Common Cents
11:01 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
One would think that those who kept the public, as we found out at the November meeting, in the "DARK" should not be eligable for reappointment for Pres and VP.
Westwoodian since '91
1:55 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Here is a link that describes how to remove a BOE member.... http://www.njsba.org/legal_02/recall-election-law08.pdf. Reading through it, I think you'll need a lawyer to figure it all out.... or Louise, she seems to be able to figure out all the fine details of everything.
Louise Miller
11:01 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
"Westwoodian" - Thanks a lot, give me a book to read on News Years Day :)... interesting read though. What I can understand is it basicly comes down to is 3 people would need to step up to form a committee and get a petition signed by 25% of the registered voters in the District. An APPROXIMATE # of registered voters from WW & Wash.Twp. combined is 13,500. So safely saying the petition would need 3500 signatures. Looks like there's a pretty good time frame to get the signatures though, then there would be a Special Election or it would be added to the School Election if the signatures all panned out. Definately needs a lawyer or some kind of advocate fo figure some of the particulars because of the District's combination of towns. I can't figure out WHO could vote at that election since we vote for candidates by town or if it would be considered like a referendum vote where the votes from the entire District are counted. The latter seems possible since it would be a YES/NO vote. It has been accomplished in the past (in 2003) BUT don't look at me to be on that committee, I've done my share of School Committee work!
Bus Stop Talk
11:01 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
THANKS, WESTWOODIAN! DO IT. GET THE CLOWNS OUT!
http://www.njsba.org/legal_02/recall-election-law08.pdf.
Westwoodian since '91
10:26 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
@Bus Stop Talk - removing a BOE member seems to be almost impossible and time consuming. I would rather put my efforts into doing something positive such as encouraging quality candidates run for office. If we can replace all three candidates (Koch, Gregory and Schaadt) and support our new "acting" Super it will go a long way in repairing the reputation of our schools, towns and BOE. So, start talking to your neighbors and friends about running!
@Louise - You're welcome!... and me too!
Louise Miller
2:34 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
"Westwoodian" - No disrespect intended, I just had to check since it didn't seem correct & it's always SO confusing to keep track of who's terms are up each year. In 2010 Charlie Koch & Roberta Hanlon were re-elected when Joe Blundo was elected for his first term. You are correct there are 3 seats available this year - in 2013 (BUT Schaadt & Gregory were re-elected in 2011 so their terms are up in 2014). The years go by so quick these days, it's impossible to keep up! I had to go check my files...
Westwoodian since '91
3:00 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
@Louise - I bow to your files! and you're probably right. So it's Koch, Hanlon and Blundo. That makes it a lot easier actually; neither Mr. Koch or Ms. Hanlon have children in our schools anymore. Don't need to find a replacement for Blundo as he the only one told the truth during that notorious November meeting.
andromeda
11:54 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
I agree with putting energy into getting some QUALITY candidates elected to the board, but thats been tried before---unsuccessfully. But It sure would be nice to get Bonnie and Clyde off the board, after all, they bear primary responsibility for the debacle that we have seen. Whatever happens with the position of Pres. and VP of the board will be a good indicator, we'll see if other current BOE members have the courage to step up and do what they were elected to do.