Schools
Athletic Boosters Bid Farewell to Retiring Superintendent
Jim O'Neill was praised as a great friend to Chatham High's athletes and to the community.
The Chatham High School Athletic Boosters honored Superintendent Jim O'Neill during its annual fund-raising event Saturday evening at the Chatham Fish and Game Swim and Racquet Club.
O'Neill, who is leaving his position with the school district on July 1, appeared to be visibly moved when the Boosters' officers presented him with an athletic blanket, a monogrammed varsity jacket, and a framed plaque consisting of a varsity award certificate and a commemorative letter pin from each of the high school's varsity sports teams.
Jennifer Cosgrove, president of the Boosters, publicly thanked O'Neill for his support of Chatham High's sports teams.
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"Jim O'Neill has been a big supporter of athletes in Chatham and a great friend of the Boosters and the community," she said.
New Board of Education President Tom Belding echoed the sentiment, calling the outgoing superintendent "a very special friend and colleague" who has been a strong advocate of sports, coaches and students.
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"Jim has a tremendous ability to think about what is best for the team. That's why he has been a tremendous superintendent," Belding said. "Our children are all beneficiaries of the work he's done and the people he's hired and trained. That legacy will last long after he leaves us."
O'Neill presented a letter of resignation to the Board of Education Feb. 28 after Gov. Chris Christie imposed salary caps for school superintendents. Under the Christie plan, O'Neill's salary would have been cut by nearly 20 percent.
Rather than have his income slashed, O'Neill opted to retire early and to take legal action against the state. O'Neill and Long Hill Superintendent Rene Rovtar joined forces to file suit against the New Jersey Department of Education, the former and present Acting Commissioner of Education and Morris County Executive Superintendent Kathleen Serafino.
The superintendents' case rests on the idea that Christie's salary caps, which took effect Feb. 7, are unconstitutional.
O'Neill said he is still waiting for a trial date, adding that a ruling may not come down for a year or more.
The board approved his resignation on April 11.
"I'm saddened," said Boosters Treasurer Rick Ahsler. "He's a great superintendent and a good man, and he's got a good heart. The circumstances surrounding why he's leaving are unfortunate."
O'Neill came to Chatham High in 1996 to serve as principal. He was named superintendent nearly seven years later.
"My time and memory of these 15 years will always have a special place in my heart," O'Neill told the crowd at the Boosters fund-raiser.
Asked about his plans, he said that his family plans to remain in Chatham at least until his children finish college.
"I'm going to take a little time off," he said. "Then I'll look into taking an interim post somewhere."
O'Neill's emotional send-off took place as part of the Boosters' "Ultimate Tailgate" fund-raiser. The event featured a prize raffle; a silent auction of items including Broadway show tickets, an Acer laptop computer, jewelry and an Amazon Kindle; and catering by Supper Restaurant. All money raised will go toward supporting and enhancing Chatham High's athletic programs.
