Zoeller Apologizes For Taking Generator, Truck

Updated at 10:26 p.m.

Westwood Regional Schools Superintendent Geoffrey Zoeller apologized Thursday for taking home a district-owned truck and generator for Hurricane Sandy and leaving them there while he went away on vacation.

"I made a monumental error in judgment," Zoeller said.

The board did not take any action regarding Zoeller at the meeting, but held closed session meetings before and after the regular public meeting to discuss him. Zoeller did not waive his confidentiality rights, so members of the public, including Zoeller himself, were not permitted to sit in on the closed meetings.

Board of Education attorney Rodney Hara confirmed that the board was conducting an investigation of Zoeller. Any action will be taken during a public meeting, according to board President Carol Mountain.

Many Westwood and Washington Township residents were upset that Zoeller had taken the equipment. Thursday's meeting had unusually-high attendance, including a camera from a local T.V. news program.

Zoeller said that residents who were upset with him had based their opinions only on "limited information." He said he needed the equipment to ensure he could remain in contact with local offices of emergency management, police departments, municipal officials and other school administrators, among others.

"In emergency situations, ongoing and authoritative communication is essential," Zoeller said.

Board Member Joseph Blundo said that school administrators had made no communication with the board as a whole in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

Some residents used a public forum at the meeting to criticize Zoeller for taking the equipment, and made other complaints about his time as superintendent.

Westwood Education Association President Barry Albert called for Zoeller to step down because of a recent non-binding WEA vote of 222-19 of "no confidence" in Zoeller's ability to lead the district with integrity.

Albert also listed reasons why the WEA, which is the local teacher union, had voted so overwhelmingly against Zoeller. The list included the "unauthorized use" of the equipment and going on vacation after Sandy, as well as other allegations ranging from "unfair labor practices used against members of the WEA" to "inappropriate comments directed towards female high school students, which prompted an investigation."

"We can only hope that Zoeller does the honorable thing and steps down," Albert said.

John Heffernan, a Westwood resident and teacher, also criticized Zoeller for an employment offer to a "new principal" which was $8,000 over the WEA limit, causing a grievance with the union and requiring a payment of $8,000 to former Westwood Regional High School Principal Tom Gorman, who left the district for a job as principal of Ridgewood High School this year. The extra money had to be moved from elsewhere in this year's budget, according to Business Administrator Keith Rosado.

Westwood Regional district policy does allow for staff to sometimes take equipment, including vehicles, when needed. Zoeller said he would "not attempt to hide behind policies" and apologized for not notifying board members of his plan.

One policy states that "school equipment may be removed from school property by students or staff members only when such equipment is necessary to accomplish a task arising from their school or job responsibilities. The consent of the Superintendent of Schools is required for such removal. The removal of school equipment from school property by students or employees for personal use is prohibited."

Another policy states that "the Board of Education provides school vehicles to authorized school staff to be used in the performance of their job responsibilities" and that "in certain circumstances based on a staff member’s job responsibilities, specific school staff designated by the Director of Buildings and Grounds will be offered the option to bring a school vehicle to their home at the conclusion of their workday."

Zoeller offered to make "full financial restitution" to the district for using the equipment.

"I am heartily sorry for all of the hard feelings my actions and my errors in judgment have caused," Zoeller said. "I let all of you down. As a leader, I should have done better. For that, I apologize to the entire district."

Zoeller first joined the district as superintendent in 2006. The Board of Education approved new contracts with Zoeller in 2008 and again earlier this year. The new contract, which will take effect next year and last until 2018, will pay $157,500 each year with potential merit bonuses of as much as $23,600 annually.

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