We must change our ways

To the Editor: This letter is to present what I believe are violations of trust by the Sparta Board of Education. These violations are on two levels. The first involves the trust placed by the public in the board and administration. The state’s Open Public Meetings Act guarantees the public’s right “to be present at all meetings of public bodies, and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies.” How can the public exercise this right if it doesn’t know what is going to be discussed? At it’s Monday, March 13, meeting the board went into closed session after the published agenda items had been addressed and the room was cleared of public and press. The stated purpose was to discuss a confidential issue. After that issue was decided, a second subject was raised, which may not have qualified for closed session. After coming out of closed session, a vote was taken and by a vote of 5-4 a decision was made to alter the contracts of the superintendent and both assistant superintendents. No one from the public was present to see or hear this matter. This reclusive practice has been too common with this board and administration. Subjects are frequently raised and discussed after closed sessions end and the public is gone. While it may be legal, this behavior mocks the spirit and intent of the Sunshine Law. The second violation concerns trust among board members and administrators. Recognizing the divisiveness within the board, we engaged in three retreat meetings intended to identify and address issues of discord. These were facilitated by a representative of the N.J. School Boards Association. One important concern was communications and the need to provide information in a timely manner. The take-away agreed upon by all - board members and administrators - was “no surprises.” The practice of presenting subjects in meetings without prior notice (unless of emergency nature) was to cease. We all recognized that good practice requires having notice of subjects with time to investigate, question and prepare. This was how we agreed to proceed. Sadly, on Monday night this commitment was abandoned. Without prior notice, the board vice president presented a proposal to modify the contracts of the three senior administrators. Four members objected to the manner and time of introduction and requested an opportunity to review the proposal. This was denied by a 5 - 4 vote. Although unsupported statements were given that there was need to take action immediately, there was no urgency demonstrated. It is telling to note that there was undisclosed advance preparation for this issue. A letter dated Feb. 6 from the board auditor replying to an earlier question from the business administrator was produced. The board vice president distributed prepared copies of modified contracts. A printed copy of a resolution on the matter was read by the vice president. (No copies were given to the board members.) No notice was given to members until it was raised in a rush after midnight, when the public was absent. People are rightly asking why there is dissent among the members. They are concerned that this may affect the public’s judgment as to how we address the districts’ future. I, too, am concerned and worry that until we show that we will publicly discuss and fully evaluate all sides of issues facing us, we will not gain credibility. Credibility and trust must be valued and earned. We, as a body responsible to the children, citizens and staff members, have to live this in all of our actions. We must agree and act to change our ways and get on with the critical business at hand. Paul Johnson Sparta