MARLBORO — A request has been made to the Board of Education to censure board member Murray Hoffman for comments he made that were interpreted as "insensitive, uninformed and in derogation of … legal mandates regarding the provision of special services to students with disabilities."
Peter S. Wersinger III made his request at the board’s Jan. 21 meeting. He said he was reacting to observations made by his wife during a previous meeting when Hoffman raised discussion on fund transfers associated with certain special services for disabled children.
"It is my understanding that Mr. Hoff-man’s utterances included statements to the effect that, ‘there is no room for a new autistic class,’ that, ‘there is more than the usual number of them and there is no money coming in’ and, ‘do we have to educate them?,’ " Wersinger said.
Wersinger, the father of a 41-month-old boy who has been diagnosed with a pervasive development disorder within the autistic spectrum (PDD-NOS) did not take the comments lightly.
He said Hoffman made similar comments at a Nov. 19, 2002 meeting.
Although Wersinger agreed with the need to be "sensitive to costs" and to "eliminate wasteful spending," he emphasized that "no member of this board should use the cost of education as an instrument of division."
Wersinger asked that "the board publicly censure Mr. Hoffman for his remarks and, if (a policy) is not already in place, to adopt … a policy promoting zero tolerance for discrimination or bias, in any form, against children with disabilities enrolled within the Marlboro school system, which … would have equal application to members of the board, staff members and all other employees, from top to bottom."
Board President Dr. Terry Spilken responded to Wersinger by saying, "Mr. Hoffman feels compelled to ask about costs and whether there is a better way to deliver a quality education. I don’t find that wrong or reprehensible."
Spilken asked Wersinger not to pass judgment based on what was seen in one meeting. He said Hoffman has served on the board for more than 10 years.
Hoffman apologized for Wersinger’s interpretation of his comments and said, "In my 34 years in the education business, I have worked with disabled children of all kinds. You have me confused with someone who wants to hurt children. That’s not me."
Wersinger said he and his wife would now be committed to attending every meeting of the board, which board members were glad to hear.
Although no further discussion ensued, Wersinger was not completely satisfied with the board’s response.
"I think that Dr. Spilken felt compelled to defend a member of the board," Wer-singer said, "but it’s important to remember that they did not deny the comments or the minutes [I presented]."
Although Hoffman eventually voted for the transfer of special education funds, Wersinger maintained that "the process is equally as important as the results."
He added, however, that he has no qualms about the program the Marlboro school district offers.
"I am thrilled about where my son is at today," he said.
— Jeanette M. Eng