In an attempt to move on from what some people have dubbed a diploma mill controversy and to continue with the business of educating students, the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education moved to amend a number of policies at its Sept. 22 meeting in Englishtown.
However, the board members’ effort was met with criticism from constituents who asserted that the people in charge of the district are guilty of creating an atmosphere of intimidation and frivolously spending taxpayers’ money.
At one point in the meeting an audience member questioned the board about a bill that was found on the bill statement supplied by the district. When the board could not explain what the bill was for and how that amount was reached, audience members called on the panel to refrain from voting on the unexplained item.
Butch Budai of Manalapan asked, “How can you vote on bills, items that you don’t know about?”
Gloria Close of Manalapan reiterated that sentiment after looking over the bill statement and finding a $780 charge for the Englishtown police for providing security at the board’s Aug. 25 and Sept. 8 meetings.
“You summoned the presence of police officers and treat us as if we were criminals, when we are here to show that we are upset with these bogus diploma mills. I would have rather the money was spent on students, not police officers. This is taxpayers’ money you are playing with. This is appalling. I have been before this board four times about this matter and still have no answers,” Close said.
She said taxpayers did not create the problems related to administrators receiving advanced degrees from a discredited online institution and said taxpayers should not be responsible for the board’s legal fees.
Business Administrator Sean Boyce addressed the police fees.
“The cost for Englishtown police was $390 per meeting (Aug. 25 and Sept. 8). That represents one police officer. The Englishtown police actually had more than one officer at the Aug. 25 meeting, but that was not at the request of the district and the district was not charged for the additional officers,” Boyce said.
Robert Nicastro of Howell said the district must tighten its financial belt and have better oversight of its finances.
“The reputation of a school is determined by the perceptions and observations by the major stakeholders, who are the taxpayers,”
Nicastro said. “Enrichment is important, but we have to make tough decisions and tighten the belt. We are in tough times. You all have got to watch the money.”
Michael Fishman of Marlboro asked Marlboro’s representative on the school board, Katie Goon, to stand behind a statement she made several weeks ago relating to the advanced degrees awarded to Superintendent of Schools James Wasser, Assistant Superintendent Donna Evangelista, and Frank J. Tanzini, a retired assistant superintendent.
Fishman asked the board members to respect the wishes of some people who have called for Wasser to be removed as superintendent. Wasser has been the superintendent since late 1998. Fishman also questioned whether Wasser should be reimbursed for his trip to the National School Boards Conference in San Diego, Calif.
“It is ironic that the cost of a three-day conference is more expensive than his (doctorate),” Fishman said.
He was referring to the $2,900 the district paid for Wasser to receive a doctorate degree from the online Breyer State University. The superintendent has since been told by the state Commission on Higher Education that he may not use the title of Dr. because of the questionable standing of Breyer State.
“As a senior educator he deliberately took a shortcut in obtaining his doctorate, and as a result has lost his credibility in making educational choices. I believe it is the board’s responsibility to uphold the wishes of their constituents and act now to replace Superintendent Wasser so we can move on with the education of our children,” Fishman said.
The board is planning to amend the FRHSD’s professional development policy. The board members reviewed the revised version but did not adopt it on Sept. 22.
The key changes expected to be made to the policy will include, “programs on continuing education are required to meet the Core Curriculum of New Jersey statute; graduate courses must be taken at an accredited (school) recognized by the state; reimbursement will be provided to the staff member if he or she receives a grade of B or its equivalent; there will be dollar limitations; and the staff member must be employed in the district for one academic year.”
Even with the changes made, the policy still has language that allows for the “additional compensation of reimbursement for courses taken at institutions of higher education which are not accredited,” for example, overseas educational institutions.
Board members will revisit the professional development policy for a second reading and possible adoption at the Oct. 6 meeting.