Board's decision shocks parents and principal
Web site created to support Peluso in keeping her job
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

The Upper Freehold Regional Elementary/

Middle School may soon need a new principal.

Upon recommendation from interim Superintendent Robert Smith, the Board of Education decided on April 19 not to offer tenure to elementary and middle school Principal Miriam Peluso. However, it will retain Peluso's previous tenure as a vice principal.

Peluso, who replaced longtime Principal Ed Coldren when he retired in 2004, served as the school's vice principal for five years before becoming principal.

Before coming to Upper Freehold, Peluso, of Wall Township, worked as a classroom teacher for 19 years, 13 of which were as a math teacher at Neptune High School.

Peluso also taught middle school in Howell for a year and spent five years teaching in Colts Neck. As a middle school teacher, she taught math, reading and language arts to seventh- and eighth-graders.

Smith explained the process for reappointing staff members. He said the superintendent compiles a list of people's names for reappointment, and that the Board of Education can either approve or reject those reappointments. If the superintendent does not recommend reappointment, the staff member's name will not appear on the list.

Peluso's name was not on his list, according to Smith.

He said those not rehired can request a hearing before the Board of Education in closed session, which Peluso has done. Peluso's meeting with the board was scheduled for May 10.

Prior to press time, Smith said Peluso would not return as principal next year.

Peluso said she is baffled by Smith's recommendation and even more puzzled by the board's acceptance of his decision.

"In the six years prior to his [Smith's] arrival here," Peluso said, "I received nothing but excellent evaluations from Mr. Coldren and Dr. Connelly, who each worked with me for five years."

Peluso said the board was "so pleased" with her first year as principal that it voted to give her a "significant raise."

"I accepted [the raise] as a vote of confidence in my ability to lead the school effectively," she said. "And now, in a span of seven short months - and without warning - Dr. Smith has decided that he does not agree."

According to Smith, however, the board did not make a decision on Peluso's tenure as principal because her name did not appear on his list for approval or disapproval.

Peluso said she has tremendous support from the staff and parents, as well as former board members.

"Their words of encouragement have helped to confirm that there is something amiss," she said, "if only in Dr. Smith's assessment of my performance, which I believe does not span the full scope of my experience and accomplishments here in the district."

Peluso said she intends to ask the board to reconsider its position. She also said she asked Smith to furnish her with a list of his reasons for withholding recommendation for tenure.

Supporters for Peluso have created a Web site at www.saveufrems.com, whose home page reads "Our school is in crisis."

The Web site further states, "At this critical time of overcrowding and change in our school, our children will suffer if administration is changed. Mrs. Peluso's experience with our school's students, teachers and curriculum is needed now more than ever. Bringing in a new principal will be a disaster."

In addition, the Web site urges residents to attend board meetings, and to write to the Board of Education and the interim superintendent in support of Peluso.

As of last week, there were multiple anonymous postings on the Web site.

One post states, "As both an employee and a parent, I have seen Mimi [Peluso} turn a young child's fear of being sent to the principal's office into the hope of what he or she can become and [into] pride in how far they have come this year."

Another reads, "There has been no time when I have been at that school that Mrs. Peluso was unavailable to me or my kids. I have seen nothing but professional behavior and fair responses in any situations that I have witnessed."

"As an involved Mom," the message continues, "I have been discussing this with other parents. We can't help but wonder why Mrs. Peluso is in this situation."

Yet another message on the site states, "Please count me as one of the many members of our community who are greatly distressed and saddened over the recent events concerning Mrs. Peluso. I have nothing but admiration for her, and have found her to be a professional and capable leader.

"As a resident of the township for over 20 years, as a parent of two successful and happy graduates of UFREMS, and as an employee of the school district for 12 years," the post goes on, "I join those who humbly and respectfully request that you [board members] reconsider your decision."