Answers on superintendent are less than satisfying

Iwas in attendance at the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education meeting held at Howell High School on Oct. 6 and was absolutely dumbfounded by the [board] attorney’s statements that, in essence, said we are stuck with this arrogant, egotistical, person who, along with others, committed fraud and misappropriated taxpayer funds by their actions.

Apparently, now that New Jersey Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy completed her “investigation” and found [FRHSD Superintendent of Schools James] Wasser did no wrong (?), only she could request he step down, which you know just will not occur. Then we were told there is such a thing as tenure for superintendents, which precludes any other actions the board may want to do (of course, this board does not seem to have any actions in mind anyway).

As a contractual employee of the district who acted unethically to begin with, there should be a way to break that contract — tenure or not. Instead, we have been told the matter cannot be brought up again until a year before [Wasser’s] contract is up — June 2010. There were many of us in attendance who felt that statement was uncalled for as we plan on doing so continuously. I am sorry we are stuck with a man who has sullied whatever reputation this district might have had.

He still has shown an extremely poor example to both faculty and students. It is quite obvious he is not looking out for the children’s best interest and should not be in his position. When Mr. Wasser offered his apology, I could only think about it being months too late and rather meaningless now that we are forced to keep him on the payroll.

We have yet to hear an apology (or anything at all) from Assistant Superintendent Donna Evangelista, who was also part of this fraud. And I am sure we will never hear anything from the now-retired Frank Tanzini. How can these three people be so exonerated by the commissioner of education over committing these fraudulent acts at roughly the same time?

Nothing was touched upon as to the additional expenses this district has incurred due to this whole sordid business.

We seem to also be stuck with a bill for Wasser’s personal legal services as well. It was not the board that had an issue, the board should not have to cover the costs for his own personal matter.

As money is frivolously thrown away, I had to mention to the board that I do not believe we have anyone in the right position to see us through the economic hardships this district will soon have due to the current downturn. Good luck to us all. We’re going to need it.
Barry Hochberg
Marlboro