UFRSD hires new business manager
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

ALLENTOWN — She's expected to do a lot more than manage money.

Diana Schiraldi, of Schamong, has been hired as the Upper Freehold Regional School District's new business administrator and Board of Education secretary. She will start working Jan. 1, 2009 at a prorated salary of $120,000.

The school district started the process of finding a new administrator when Viola Yosifon said earlier this year that she would be retiring from the position. Superintendent of Schools Richard Fitzpatrick narrowed the initial applicant pool to three and a committee comprised of board members and school administrators and staff chose Schiraldi as Yosifon's successor. The board approved the appointment Sept. 17.

Schiraldi holds a New Jersey School BusinessAdministrator certificate, a Certified Public Accountant license and a Qualified Purchasing Agent designation. She has previous work experience in governmental accounting, finance and budgeting and will come to the local school district from a business administrator/ secretary position in the Shamong Township School District in Shamong.

Fitzpatrick said that a site visit in Shamong showed those considering Schiraldi for the position that she demonstrates strong professional demeanor, interpersonal skills, personal traits and articulation about the functions of the business office and board secretary.

The superintendent said Schiraldi also has experience with school construction projects, which is important to the school district currently in the process of building a new middle school. Schiraldi completed a $7.2 million school renovation and construction project in Shamong and managed $68 million in bond referendum proceeds in the Lenape Regional High School District.

"She told us tonight that she loves math," Fitzpatrick said. "She has a love for numbers. I had to laugh a little when she said it."

Having a fondness for math and solving problems wasn't the only criteria considered in the hiring of Schiraldi. Fitzpatrick said she also has a desire to become an integral part of the school community, which Yosifon did during her years of service.

"There are lots of things that are similar [between Schiraldi and Yosifon]," Fitzpatrick said. "We saw a strong mission and focus and that she understands the role and has the tenacity to provide a high quality education at a reasonable cost for our kids. She comes to us highly regarded by everyone."

Fitzpatrick added that Schiraldi also takes pride in creating a healthy learning environment and noted that she worked well with the buildings and grounds department in Shamong to keep the schools there "immaculate."

The superintendent said the school district will miss Yosifon, who will retire Dec. 31.

"We love her and we will miss her," Fitzpatrick said. "She is a consummate professional with a great work ethic. She's a great partner who I really enjoyed working with."

Fitzpatrick said Schiraldi displays a work ethic similar to Yosifon's.

"She seems to execute tasks the way Vi executes tasks, which is important because we could always be confident in Vi's work," he said.