Wyatt Pratt, Vivian Pratt, Hopewell Borough
We concur with John Tredrea’s opinion, as expressed on the Hopewell Valley News’ Town Forum page of Sept. 2, that Stephen Keen’s presence on the school board’s Personnel Committee inevitably creates a perception of a conflict of interest.
Objections to Mr. Keen’s service on the Personnel Committee were first reported in a front-page article in the Hopewell Valley News on Aug. 19. The Aug. 26 edition contained several letters to the editor expressing public concern and dismay over Jim Wulf’s actions in appointing Mr. Keen and Mr. Keen’s acceptance of the position.
The Aug. 19 article also reported that fellow school board member Ray Dollard had voiced his objections to Mr. Wulf months before, but received scant reply. Mr. Wulf reportedly stated at a board meeting that he had obtained a legal opinion on the appointment of Mr. Keen to the Personnel Committee. We would welcome the opportunity to view this legal opinion to understand the basis on which the opinion was made.
There needs to a public response to the objections raised by board members, the public and now the press. Although we wish all the school board members well, and thank them for their service, it is disappointing that school board members, President Wulf and Vice President Judy Lindenberger, have continued to support this decision without a public justification of why this appointment is appropriate with such a questionable appearance of propriety.
The public needs a response from the board president to address the question of what is right, not just what may be legal given the upcoming teacher contract negotiations.
