Upset with school superintendent

Dear Editor: When a taxpayer asks a legitimate question of the Superintendent of Schools, one would expect the Superintendent to respond respectfully to that taxpayer, especially if he wants him to vote for the referendum. At the Board of Education meeting on Monday night, August 14,2006,1 witnessed the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Thomas Morton’s, rudeness to this taxpayer. All night Dr. Morton used his vacation as an excuse for not being prepared for the meeting. As a former teacher, I used to expect my students, who were taking vacations, to get their work ahead of time and be prepared upon their return. During a motion discussing the hiring of a new law firm to represent our Board of Education, Dr. Morton claimed that he never heard about this proposal, again using his vacation as an excuse. Mr. Schiavoni, Board president, very respectfully reminded Dr. Morton that he had provided him with the information before Dr. Morton left for vacation. Dr. Morton defensively accused Mr. Schiavoni of “twisting words”, ultimately inferring that Mr. Schiavoni is a liar. One would have to wonder if it was Dr. Morton’s ill-preparedness that spewed such a defensive arrogance and demeanor throughout the entire board meeting. Sparta should not entrust a building referendum to administrators who cannot even prepare for regular board of education meetings. The lack of competence is probably the reason why there has already been so much money and time squandered on this referendum. What we need before a new building is new administration of our schools. As a teacher, I know that if I had ever spoken to an administrator or to a parent in the manner in which Dr. Morton addressed the board members and the public, I would have been considered insubordinate. Elaine Furfero