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Mount Arlington board accepts interim superintendent's resignation, appoints Scott Pepper through June
Summary
The Mount Arlington Board of Education on April 14 accepted the resignation of Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas J. Ficarra effective April 15, 2026, and voted to appoint Scott Pepper as Interim Superintendent effective April 15 through June 30, 2026. The votes followed two closed sessions on personnel matters.
The Mount Arlington Board of Education on April 14 accepted the resignation of Interim Superintendent Dr. Thomas J. Ficarra, effective April 15, 2026, and appointed Scott Pepper as Interim Superintendent of Schools effective April 15 through June 30, 2026.
Vice-President Sheila Studint moved to approve Personnel Agenda Items 041426-S-1 and 041426-S-2; board member Edwin Botero seconded the motion. At roll call, Botero, Board President Rachel Byrne, Melissa Eckert, Erika Puskas, Studint and Karl Svenningsen voted yes; Chris D'Amico was recorded as absent. The motion passed 6–0.
The personnel actions were discussed in closed session(s) held under the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Law (N.J.S.A.10:4-12b). The board first moved into closed session at 7:01 p.m. and returned to open session at 7:18 p.m., then again moved into closed session at 7:29 p.m. and returned at 9:05 p.m., when the meeting resumed and later adjourned at 9:06 p.m.
The appointment of Scott Pepper is described on the agenda as effective April 15–June 30, 2026, with salary and terms “as approved by the Executive County Superintendent of Schools.” The agenda item number for the personnel package was 041426-S-1 through 041426-S-2; S-1 accepted Dr. Ficarra’s resignation and S-2 authorized Pepper’s interim appointment.
The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. with Board President Rachel Byrne calling the meeting to order, confirming a quorum and reading the statutorily required public notice. Committee and delegate reports listed on the agenda were recorded as "No Report." No public comments on agenda or other items were recorded in the minutes.
The board minutes list district staff attending the meeting, including Interim School Business Administrator/Board Secretary Robin C. Tedesco (telecom), Administrative Assistant Barbara Caggiano, Supervisor of Special Services Jennifer Ochoa, and Principal Joseph Coladarci. The minutes show that formal action on personnel occurred by motion and roll-call vote and that related personnel discussions were handled in closed session as permitted by state law.
