Brogan Wants to 'Dispel Rumors' on Lorenz's Departure

School board trustee Sheila Brogan said she wanted to put to bed some of the mounting rumors stemming from the .

Speaking at the school board meeting, Brogan said contrary to popular belief, Superintendent Daniel Fishbein will not fill a dual role as Superintendent of Schools and principal of the village high school.

Some have whispered with the Christie-approved cap on superintendent's pay, the district could potentially retain Fishbein – whose contract is up in 2012-2013 and will face a $40,000 cut should he stay in Ridgewood – by adding another responsibility and a greater paycheck.

"That's not true," Brogan said Monday night. "That was never a consideration, I don't think that will ever come to the board, I can't imagine that would ever be a possibility."

Beyond the dual role rumor, Brogan stated that there's been a growing concern among the special education community that the would get the axe once the principal leaves his Ridgewood post in late December.

Lorenz was instrumental in creating the program and .

"Again, those programs are well thought-out by a team of professionals, recommended, [and] have done very well at the high school and supported by staff," Brogan said. "It is my intention...to continue to have our special education students educated in the district when at all possible...I don't see that changing."

Brogan cautioned residents not to take "gossip" for fact. She expressed concern with the "rumor" and "anger" in the community.

"I worry a little bit that the rumors and the anger and hostility...I hope we'll work together as a community and see it as an opportunity to continue to grow, to learn and to bring quality people to bring leadership into the district."

Lorenz resigned in mid-November and cited his reasons for leaving as philosophical differences with the top officials in Cottage Place.

Lorenz had previously asked the district to buy out his contract, and his attorney wrote a and belittlement that is not at all appropriate in light of the exemplary manner in which Mr. Lorenz has led the Ridgewood High School as principal."

The district has not named a replacement for Lorenz and plans to discuss it further at the Dec. 5 meeting, education officials stated Monday.

They remain optimistic a top-flight educator and administrator can be found to lead the high school, which counts over 1,600 students in the largest public school district in the county.

"The system is bigger than an individual," remarked Trustee Bob Hutton, who expressed confidence the district will be able to find a strong administrator to lead the high school.

"We've had success in the past, there's no reason not to think we won't in the future," Brogan added.