Tuesday, February 28, 2012
New schools chief lends praise to predecessor and former teacher.
There may not be a better passing of a baton than that from a teacher to a student. As West Morris Regional High School District Superintendent Anthony di Battista leaves his post, effective Feb. 29, he passes the baton to the recently hired Mackey Pendergrast, who was formally introduced on Monday, Feb. 27. Pendergrast was one of di Battista’s students in the early 1980s at Mendham High School, and, like di Battista, went on to become a history teacher before an administrator. “Anthony got the big things right,” Pendergrast said. “He has been a visionary in this district, and he’s been a great inspiration to me.” Pendergrast, who took an alternate route to becoming a class teacher, said he thought about teachers like di Battista, which …
Monday, February 27, 2012
Superintendent ends career with West Morris Regional on Feb. 29 after 34 years.
The next time a decision needs to be made at 4 a.m. about delaying or closing school because of inclement weather, Superintendent Dr. Anthony di Battista will be fast asleep, not having to worry about making the call. After 34 years of service to the West Morris Regional High School district, di Battista will enter retirement when the workday ends on Wednesday, Feb. 29. di Battista, who announced his retirement on Dec. 2, 2011–halfway through a three-year contract–has spent the last six and-a-half years as the district’s top administrator. He held the position of Director of Curriculum for seven years prior to that, and as a history teacher at Mendham High school for his first 20 years in the district. The administrator’s ascension to the …
Boys, girls basketball teams begin playoff runs.
It’s the last Monday in February and, as usual, it’s a pretty busy day around Washington Township. Let’s take a look at what’s going on. You Need to Say Goodbye, and Hello: Tonight’s West Morris Regional School Board meeting will be held at Mendham High School at 7 p.m., but it’s not your ordinary gathering. It will be the final session with Superintendent Anthony di Battista, whose tenure officially ends Wednesday. The board will also formally introduce its new superintendent Mackey Pendergrast, the district’s former director of staff development. Stop in and say goodbye, and also say hello. You Need to Budget Wisely: The Washington Township Committee will hold its final budget meeting of the year at 7 p.m. at the Senior Center. The …
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mackey Pendergrast has guided staff development for last six years in district.
The West Morris Regional School District has hired Mackey Pendergrast as its new superintendent to succeed Anthony di Battista, whose retirement is effective Feb. 29. Pendergrast, the district's director of staff development for the past six years, has agreed to a three-year term as the schools top administrator. "Mackey's done innovative things with less budget each year," regional school board president Cristen Forrester said. "He's dealt with it beautifully, and his vision fit our vision." All nine board members voted to hire Pendergrast Wednesday, Feb. 22 at a special meeting. The final two candidates came down to Pendergrast and an external administrator, Forrester said. Pendergrast will be formally introduced at the board's next …
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Residents take aim at Jamie Button for alleged divisiveness.
The West Morris Regional School Board has begun the process of finding a replacement for Superintendent Anthony di Battista, who announced his retirement Dec. 2. “This is the most important job the board has,” said former Washington Township representative and board president John Notte at Monday night’s regular meeting. Notte oversaw the hiring of three of the district’s superintendents, including di Battista. The task ahead of the board is so tall that di Battista offered as much help as he could give in the search, even beyond his retirement date. “If this board is unable to find a new or interim superintendent before Feb. 29, I’ll stay in my position for an additional month without pay,” di Battista said. How the process of finding …
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Colleagues, residents show support for longtime district member.
A packed Mendham High School library was full of emotion Monday night during the first West Morris Regional School Board meeting following the abrupt retirement announcement of Superintendent Dr. Anthony di Battista. The board approved di Battista’s retirement, but not before residents, former board members and district faculty members–both current and retired–spoke their minds about the kind of person and educator di Battista is, in addition to the “unfortunate” way his tenure in the district has come to a close. “The resignation of Dr. Anthony di Battista is the final verse in an ugly chapter of this district,” said former board member and Washington Township resident Jeff Emery. “[The district] has become a political war zone, and this …
Kevin Cashman
11:53 am on Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Whatever the sideline commentary here about his tenure as an administrator, his teaching was worth ten-thousand-fold in value of education. I had him for one class, 30 years ago, based on the recommendation of my older brother and his standards, energy and character are still with me. Thank you Mr. D. I'm sorry I didn't do a better job of depicting Henry VIII when we re-enacted his court. His … more ›