Position at high school up in air

This isn’t the first time the high school principal’s
contract has aired.

By TIM YOVICH

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

NILES — Mark Pallante may not be the principal of Niles McKinley High School in the fall.

Superintendent Rocco Adduci has posted the position of interim high school principal, so other district employees are aware of the possible opening, even though Pallante has a year left on his two-year contract.

Adduci has declined to discuss the posting of the job, but indicated a decision will be made between Monday and Thursday on whether a change will be made.

What’s more, school board members who could be contacted say they don’t know anything about it.

There has been speculation that Robert Marino Jr., current middle school principal, would take over the high school post, and Pallante would become an administrator working out of the district’s administration building.

However, Marino said: “I’m not going to apply [for the high school job]. ... I will not be a candidate for that position.”

Pallante, who has been high school principal for three years and is paid $74,000 annually, declined to comment about the posting, except to say that Adduci can assign him wherever he wants.

Like others in the administration, Marino said he doesn’t know what moves, if any, will be made in assignments.

Pallante will be in the second year of a two-year contract with the district that expires in fall 2008 after the 2007-2008 school year.

When administrative contracts are signed, a specific building assignment isn’t designated, an administrative official said.

Revealed at board meeting

Board president Marlene Rhodes said she doesn’t know anything about the move. She suggested more will be learned during the next board meeting at 4 p.m. Thursday, at the administrative offices.

Nothing has been finalized, Rhodes said of any changes that might be made.

Board member Susan Giannetti Longacre said she has been out of town and hasn’t had the opportunity to discuss it with Adduci.

Longacre added that she had no idea why the position was posted.

This isn’t the first time Pallante’s contract has come up for discussion.

It surfaced at the board’s Jan. 12, 2006, meeting when Adduci placed a three-year extension of Pallante’s contract on the agenda.

Adduci had earlier considered moving Pallante to become middle school principal and transferring Marino, who also is city council president, to the high school. However, he changed his mind.

Marino’s father, Robert Marino Sr., is a board member.

Because there was a tie vote — Marino’s father had to abstain because of a conflict — Pallante received the two-year contract retaining his position as high school principal.

yovich@vindy.com