Popular teacher leaving Washington Twp. Board accepts resignation. Parents fought to keep Bret Castner in sixth grade. Tuesday, July 18, 2006 • BY LYNN OLANOFF • The Express-Times WASHINGTON TWP. | Criticism of local school officials continued Monday when the school board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of a popular teacher. Monday was the second board meeting in two months during which dozens of residents tried to plead with the board to keep 25-year teacher Bret "Chip" Castner in the sixth grade. The board voted at its June 12 meeting to transfer Castner to the third grade. He announced his retirement a week later. "As a school board, you can (decide) at this time not to accept his resignation," parent Steve Sharkey said before the board's 6-0 vote. "You can make a statement." Board Attorney Anthony Sciarrillo advised the board to accept Castner's retirement. "I don't want this board to do something contrary to what someone intended," he said. "It's not our position to get into his life." Board member Casimir Wyglendowski also questioned whether rejecting Castner's retirement would be contrary to what the teacher would want. "We could all vote no -- which is the will of the community -- but what about the person?" One resident said Castner was retiring against his will because of the board's transfer. Castner was not at Monday's board meeting, which included more than two hours of public comment. District officials have said the need for another third-grade teacher was part of the reason for Castner's transfer. The sixth grade will have lower enrollment next year, so one fewer teacher will be used there. Dozens of township residents have rallied around Castner since his transfer was announced. About 40 residents attended Monday's board meeting. They pledged to continue attending the meetings and keeping a close eye on the board. Residents on Monday questioned the loyalty of the district's administrators. Marjorie Levine, the district's acting superintendent and principal of Port Colden School, and Keith Neuhs, Brass Castle School principal, were asked whether they plan to leave the district. Janet Razze left the district's superintendent position last month after about three years in the district. "I take strong objection to that," Levine told parent Pat Wintersteen. "I haven't jumped ship -- you may want me to." Neuhs also balked at Wintersteen's questions. "I have been on a whopping one interview and that was in the first year I was here," he said. "I care for the kids. They have never gotten anything other than 100 percent from me." Wintersteen said she would continue to question the administrators. "Unfortunately now for you, we're now in a split community. These are issues we're investigating," she said. "You guys will now be under the microscope." Reporter Lynn Olanoff can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by e-mail at lolanoff@express-times.com. © 2006 The Express-Times. Used with permission.