As the criticism and requests for action that have become a staple of Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education meetings continued on Nov. 17, one person stepped forward to express her frustration with the situation and to state her desire for those in charge to move forward with other business.
Since July, some residents have demanded that the board take action against Superintendent of Schools James Wasser, who obtained an advanced degree from a since-discredited online institution. Other administrators and employees also received degrees from that institution.
The employees were eventually directed by the state Commission on Higher Education to stop using the title of doctor.
During the Nov. 17 board meeting held at Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, several residents continued to criticize board members for what they called a lack action on the matter.
Cindy O’Brien, of Colts Neck, was not one of the residents who took the board to task. In fact, O’Brien received applause after she told board members and the public she is getting frustrated with hearing the same complaints at every meeting.
“I understand (residents making the criticism) are upset. I implore this board to sit down with these individuals on a one-to-one basis and try and hash this out, because there are a group of parents in here who are really concerned about the education of their children. And although I understand this situation is a very large situation, as a community we really need to pull together and start to work again for our kids,” O’Brien said.
O’Brien acknowledged that the district may have a problem passing a budget in the April school election. She said it is important for the controversy about the online degrees to be put to bed.
“We really need to move forward and it’s up to you all to make that happen,” she told board members.
O’Brien said parents who attend board meetings because of concern for their children will stop coming due to the repetitive nature of the meetings.
Even some of the loudest of the board’s critics applauded O’Brien and agreed with her sentiments.
“It’s not even about Wasser anymore … it’s about the board. This board is completely ineffective,” Michael Fishman, of Marlboro, said.
He said the board has not done anything to address the concerns of the residents.
Marlboro’s representative on the board, Katie Goon, responded to questions raised about a statement she released in August.
In her statement Goon requested that the money paid by the district for tuition and pay increases as a result of the online degrees be returned to the district or, failing that, for the individuals involved in the matter to resign from their positions. Since that time the money has not been refunded to the district, nor has a resignation been requested. Angry residents have continuously asked Goon to stand by her statement.
At the Nov. 17 meeting she took the opportunity to answer her critics.
“I wrote the statement and wholeheartedly believe every word and back up every word that I said,” Goon told those present.
She explained that because of Wasser’s contract and his rights under tenure, the board could not simply fire the superintendent from his job. Goon said the board’s attorneys explained that situation at a previous meeting, but said she would ask them to explain it again if necessary.
At the Oct. 6 meeting, the attorneys did explain the protection Wasser is afforded by contract. Under his contract terms, Wasser is protected by tenure and would have to undergo a tenure hearing by the state Department of Education.
Attorney Stephen Edelstein said at that meeting that such an investigation occurred during the summer when the Department of Education initially investigated the matter. The report issued by the state said there was no evidence that any of the individuals had the intent to deceive when obtaining their degree from online Breyer State University.
With those findings, Edelstein said, the commissioner of education has already determined there is no cause to terminate Wasser’s employment as superintendent.
He has been the superintendent since late 1998.
Goon said unfortunately the legalities of the situation do not allow the board to dismiss the superintendent.
In regard to the tuition funds not having been paid back, Goon said the matter is being investigated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. When one resident asked why that would have any impact, Goon suggested that the question be addressed to Wasser.