Tabernacle says goodbye to their superintendent

The Kenneth R. Olson Middle School Library played host to a standing-room-only board of education meeting last week.

After Superintendent George Rafferty accepted the superintendent position in Mt. Laurel earlier this month, many Tabernacle residents who have been encouraging this breakup for months marked the date of this meeting on their calendars.

Many gathered to express their feelings on the departure of the school district’s superintendent. Some even made t-shirts to express their excitement of his departure.

Rafferty’s resignation will be effective on May 11, or on an earlier date if mutually agreed upon.

Jennifer Herpen has been coming to meetings for two years with one single purpose on her mind — to ensure a change be made to the top of the administration. While she voiced her opinion during the public comment session supporting the departure of Rafferty, she was disgruntled by the 90-day grace period.

“My question is, can it happen now? I think 90 days is too long. I think 90 seconds is too long,” Herpen said.

A multitude of residents also expressed their displeasure over something agreed on at a meeting in November. The item requested the district pay for Rafferty’s courses completed while he is pursuing his doctorate in educational leadership from Wilmington University.

The board refused to disclose whether Rafferty had completed the courses. Resident Steve Pickholtz requested the board rescind that offer if the courses have not been completed by the end of Rafferty’s term.

“If he’s going to Mt. Laurel and earning a doctorate, let Mt. Laurel pay for it,” he said.

Many residents were also up in arms about the amount of money revealed during the meeting being spent on legal fees. The board originally budgeted about $22,000 for this matter and has now spent upward of $92,000.

Pickholtz suggested the board not employ a lawyer during the meetings to help reduce these costs. He expressed his belief that the $170 per hour fee they pay the lawyer to sit in on the meetings as an unnecessary luxury that the board didn’t used to employ before the problems between the public and the superintendent arouse.

Pickholtz suggested having a lawyer sit there month after month could be the reason for the increase in legal fees.

“I think we can do without (the lawyers) at the board meetings,” he said.

“I don’t think we need legal representation, especially now that our main problem is out the door,” resident Kelly Kemps said.

Rafferty’s resignation was originally placed under personnel on the agenda but upon further examination was separately held to resolve after executive session.

The board accepted Rafferty’s letter of resignation, effective upon the appointment of an interim chief school administrator.