Every seat was filled, the walls were lined with bodies and homemade signs waved from the crowd as hundreds turned out to show their support for Evesham Superintendent John Scavelli Jr. when the Board of Education voted on whether to offer him a new five-year-contract at a special meeting on Feb. 25.
After the board spent nearly two hours listening to those in attendance cheer dozens of Evesham teachers, administration members, faculty, parents and residents as they extolled the virtues and integrity of Scavelli, the board agreed with the crowd and voted to have Scavelli continue on as superintendent, eliciting the longest and loudest cheers of the night.
For the past few weeks, some in the district believed some board members might not vote to offer Scavelli a new contract. A petition was started urging the board to keep Scavelli, and Scavelli himself waived his right to a private hearing.
One person who spoke at the meeting was Evans Elementary School Principal Nick DiBlasi. He said the past year was difficult at Evans for obvious reasons, but above all, Scavelli was always honest with him and the staff regardless of whether they wanted to hear the information.
“There was never one second that went by that we didn’t believe what the man was saying,” DiBlasi said. “He is the epitome of integrity…I’ve never worked with anyone with more integrity that John Scavelli.”
Dianne Snyder, a resident, parent and district employee who Scavelli hired as his secretary in 2008 when he held the position of business administrator, said she admired him for his core values such as integrity, honesty, intelligence, fairness and his desire to always do what was right.
“Since John became superintendent, I’m happy to say John hasn’t changed,” Snyder said. “He is still a hard worker, honest, fair and dedicated to the students, staff and to his family. He is a man of principle who does not bend to political pressure.”
At the beginning of the meeting before public comment, two members of the nine-member board removed themselves from the discussion and vote because of laws regulating who can vote on hiring matters if board members have relatives working for the district.
When it came time for the final vote, William Donio, the board’s solicitor, said even though only seven board members had the ability to participate in the vote because two members rightfully removed themselves, legally the vote still required a majority of the full nine-member board to vote affirmative for it to pass.
“That would still need a majority of the roll call of the entire board, the entire board meaning nine members of the board,” Donio said. “So for any motion to pass perfectly with regard to the chief school administrator, it would require five affirmative votes.”
Board member Dave Silver spoke to Scavelli directly, reflecting on what he had heard from people over the past moth and the crowd that evening. He commented on the agreements, disagreements, pleasantries and frustrations of their relationship.
“There are differences we have and disagreements we have, but the continuity of the people that work with you and the children and what I hear is a different side of being a board member and having disagreements from time to time,” Silver said. “I have to do what’s right in terms of what’s best for everyone as a whole, not just because you may disagree with me on something or do something different than I would, so I am voting yes.”
Board member Lisa Mansfield thanked everyone in attendance and said everyone was fortunate to have an outstanding superintendent such as Scavelli.
“I have here all of the board’s evaluations of Mr. Scavelli of the past three years and had intended to read from them this evening, but I really don’t feel that is necessary,” Mansfield said. “Everything that was said and more here this evening from all of you is what is in these documents.”
A total of five board members voted affirmative to approve the contract. They were: Joseph M. De Julius, Trish Everhart, Joanne Harmon, Mansfield and Silver. Kevin Stone and Nichole Stone abstained from the vote when it was held. No member voted against.
Board President Joseph Fisicaro Jr. and Sandy Student were the two members who abstained because of relatives working for the district.
After the vote and cheers, Scavelli said he was overwhelmed by the comments, kindness and everything the crowd said about him. He specifically commented on the teamwork many of the speakers had referenced.
“I think that’s a testament to just everything that we’re doing here every day,” Scavelli said. “I appreciate the comments about teamwork and working together. I truly don’t look at people as though they’re my employees or my staff or they work for me. I really do look at it as we work together.”
