Make content of petition public
By: Mae Rhine
If there are 180 residents out there who are unhappy with the job performance of South Hunterdon Regional High School Superintendent Cheryl Simone, there is cause for concern.
A petition was signed by that many residents and presented to the Board of Education last month. But no one school board members, Dr. Simone nor the parent who initiated the circulation of the petition is willing to discuss it.
The school board has until the end of next month to let Dr. Simone know if her four-year contract, which expires June 30, 2004, will be renewed. If there is a problem, the public needs to know about it. It should not be swept under the rug as a "personnel issue."
We’re not saying every little detail of her job performance should be presented to the public. That’s why there’s a board of education to set policy and review the performance of its employees.
But when there is a vote of no confidence in its top executive, the board needs to talk to these people and make it known the problem will be addressed.
Board President David Moraski is dead wrong when he says, "There is nothing to be gained by this except gossip" by releasing a copy of the petition. The petition was presented to the board at a public meeting, therefore, it is a document that must be available for public scrutiny.
It is a warning flag something could be wrong. And when you’re dealing with the protection of the quality education of our children, nothing is sacred, in our opinion.
This is a board that was chastised by municipal officials for its communication problem with residents in its three sending districts Lambertville, Stockton and West Amwell. The officials in those three towns blamed the defeat of South’s budget partly on its problems dealing with the public.
The board needs to find out what those residents are concerned about, share that information so others can be heard and make an informed decision when it comes to renewing Dr. Simone’s contract.

