On Friday, May 2, Applitrack—the platform used by Berkeley Heights Public Schools to manage job postings—listed an opening for the position of “Business Administrator/Board Secretary,” effective July 1, 2025.

The listing follows recent Board of Education meetings during which some residents noted that the current Business Administrator’s contract was not among the recent renewals—making the posting anticipated by many.

The current Business Administrator joined the district in November 2023 after more than seven years in the same role in Roselle Borough. The appointment was made under former Superintendent Dr. Melissa Varley.

While not the originator of certain practices, the current Business Administrator’s tenure has seen the continuation of district procedures that have drawn public concern. Residents and some Board members have continued to raise questions about the extent of legal review applied to decisions surrounding OPRA requests and the overall transparency of the district’s document handling process. NJ21st previously confirmed that documents released under OPRA during former Business Administrator Ms. Kot’s tenure were—and remain—publicly accessible via the district website. While legal review may be appropriate in limited circumstances involving confidential information, its broader and more frequent use has prompted debate on cost and whether the district’s current approach aligns with the both the letter and spirit of the law.

At the January 2024 Board reorganization meeting, several routine policies were noticeably absent from the agenda without clear explanation. This deviation from established procedure continued the questions surrounding the professionalism and perceived neutrality of the business office, particularly given the Business Administrator’s central role in preparing meeting agendas and ensuring procedural consistency.

Financial transparency also remains a point of contention. We have filed OPRA requests with multiple follow ups for budget documents that, under typical practice, might be expected to be published proactively. Additionally, the last audit flagged recurring concerns related to financial controls and reporting.

While these issues reflect broader and ongoing systemic challenges, we wish the current Business Administrator well in future endeavors.

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