Pearls of Wisdom
Fort Lee has minimal standards to run as a candidate for the local Board of Education, i.e. basically consists of getting your name on the ballot. With a BOE election on the horizon, maybe we should have some guidelines for future candidates and raise our expectations.
The Governor’s Transition Team of Detroit, Michigan, proposed some excellent standards for consideration. As the report is somewhat lengthy, this is an abridged version. A few specifics have been bolded for emphasis.
Optimal Qualifications for School Board Members
(1) Willingness to elevate the ethical code of the district well above usual political and public office standards.
(2) Understanding the Board’s role in the awarding of district contracts and taking the time to insure that contracts meet the best interests of the district and are financially sound.
(3) No record of misconduct that would discredit the Board.
(4) Understanding that Board work should be done by crafting written policies and not by hands-on intervention.
(5) Has the time and is ready to put aside personal career opportunities and family time to attend to school district needs.
(6) Demonstrates a willingness to be trained in best practices for school board members.
(7) Understands the selection process for a school district superintendent and for reviewing his/her performance.
(8) If he/she has children, has been committed to educating them within the public schools.
(9) Knows what a board member must do to engage the community in support of the schools and parents in the successful education of their children.
(10) Must have performed volunteer services for a local organization prior to running for a BOE position.
Has a clear understanding of:
(a) the proper role of the Board in evolving a vision and strategic plan for the district.
(b) how to improve the school learning climate, student attendance, and discipline in order to elevate student achievement.
(c) the limits of paper-and-pencil testing as a sure measure of student achievement.
Has a clear understanding of the proper roles for the Board and Superintendent for:
(a) assuring the safety of the students and staff.
(b) selecting teachers; principals; and division directors.
(c) how to respond to a parent’s complaint of improper treatment or unfair student treatment.
(d) the collective bargaining process.
(e) textbook selection and curricula development.
(f) right-sizing and capital improvement of schools.
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Let us understand that to reach the degree of excellence expressed in the above qualifications would border on the impossible. But to strive toward these goals for future BOE members would be an excellent beginning.
There are current Board members that have failed to live up to these standards on the most basic level, while others have endeavored to perform to the best of their abilities. If the Fort Lee BOE is to improve community relations, we need to carefully select candidates, by reviewing their credentials and in the case of incumbents, evaluating past performance. Voters, please take the time to elect the best candidates that will work for our children and the Community. This election is the key to our children’s future.
Tracy Mattei
5:11 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Good stuff H!
Robert
7:52 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Seems like a ringing endorsement of Bang and Yoon. They are poster children for Board Members Missing in Action . Maybe we will see them on Milk Cartons.
" Have you seen these two people at a Board Meeting ?"
John Bang
5:19 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Robert, you have been misinformed. With 90% attendance, I am tied for 3rd BEST attendance record since the reorg. I would have been tied for 2nd place if my brother hadn't died this summer. You can check my attendance on the video records: http://board-of-education.flboe.com/modules/groups/group_pages.phtml?gid=1565863&nid=343991&sessionid=78a4ba9e84b3c71b448dd07c0b467b10&t=76ddd998600985d2ee51e39de58fb5fe&sessionid=78a4ba9e84b3c71b448dd07c0b467b10&t=76ddd998600985d2ee51e39de58fb5fe.
If you watch the videos, you will not only see that I was present, you may even find that you approve of my positions.
I hope you will ignore rumors about my attendance in the future. If you also heard that I represent a special interest, it’s true -I AM a member of a special interest group: parents with kids in FL schools. I am one of the few (possibly only) Board Members with children attending school in Fort Lee and I have a not-so-secret agenda of making our schools better.
I hope you revise your opinion of me based on new and correct information. If not, I would be sorry for I do not like disappointing people but I hope that you are fair enough to judge me based upon who I am and what I have done rather than false rumors.
If you have questions or concerns, feel free to email me: bangj@fortlee-boe.net. I do not check it daily but I will respond to you. If you give me a fair shake, I think you will find that I’m just a nice guy trying his best to make Fort Lee better.
John Bang
3:55 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
The BOE email system has been changed. My email address is now jbang@flboe.com. If you have written to me and I have not responded, this is why.
Howard L. Pearl
2:08 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Mr. Bang’s comment “since the reorganization” appears to refer to his attendance for the past year. However, his record for the prior three years would appear to be somewhat less than stellar. Additionally, in 2012, if I am correct, Mr. Bang missed the voting on (1) the new superintendent appointment and (2) on the approval of a service contract for over $ 100,000, both critical BOE votes.
As for “special interest groups”, to the best of my knowledge, Mr. Bang’s original campaign for election and his current campaign are strongly supported by Andrew Kim, a local politico, a non-resident of Fort Lee, who has been a divisive force in Fort Lee for many years.
John Bang
4:04 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Howard, you obviously have issues with me. Why don't you meet me for coffee and let me know what your concerns are. As you pointed out at the last Board Meeting, you are not going anywhere. Neither am I. We can spend the next 20 years fighting but I prefer we do something a little more productive and of benefit to the town. Considering how stubborn we both are, I doubt any good will come of us sitting down together but it can't hurt. I'll even pay for the coffee.
And, no, this is not capitulation. I still disagree with you and you are misstating facts. But let's see if we can actually set a good example for our kids by settling our differences in a mature way instead of public bickering.
Howard L. Pearl
5:27 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
John:
At such time as you post a public apology to the Community of Fort Lee for your disgraceful behavior at a recent Board Meeting, I will be more than happy to discuss issues with you.
People who read my blogs know that I state what I believe to be factual, based on information given to me by reliable sources and, in this case, from my attendance at BOE meetings.
William Mays
5:46 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Oh yeah sure, factual. Although I would like to hear an explanation as to why Mr. Bang takes money from Andrew Kim though.
Billy Mays
12:45 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Howard, There you go again: shooting the mouth off before your brain is engaged!
You know very little about BOE meetings.
William Mays
6:24 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
Last post wasn't me.
Keith Jensen
8:34 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
David Sarnoff addressed the VFW last night. Kudos for reaching out to this group. It takes a lot of personality to have the Commander Jimmy Viola allow any politician to address this group.
http://fortlee.patch.com/articles/years-of-attending-school-board-meetings-prepare-first-time-candidate-for-run
David did a splendid job and I agree with Howard Pearl that he is the best candidate for the Board of Ed, although I think Howard Pearl might edge him out if he were to run, but Howard's a bit of a wimp so lets forget about him. :)
As for the other candidates,I am waiting for them to address the Fort Lee GOP or any other Group that I am a part of or able to connect them to.
Also,I am still waiting to hear back from John Bang on my request for him to bring a legislator in the state who has voted in a manner that directly affects us all, and with a ringing endorsement of being a mentor of Mr.Bang's,I am confident he could pull off a visit, especially in their current election year as his mentor is now running for Congress.My comment:
http://fortlee.patch.com/articles/fort-lee-delegate-s-daily-journal-from-democratic-national-convention#photo-11263183
I am sure John is committed to the Community,heck that is why anyone runs for office,isn't it?
Thumbs up for David.Formerly,waiting to hear from the other three candidates.(Erik a story was done on David, perhaps you can moderate a debate for all of the candidates. You have demonstrated to be very fair in this town)
Howard L. Pearl
8:44 am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I love you too, Keith. Some of us were born to blog, some of us were “Born to Run” (like Springstein and Jensen).
David is a fine candidate. My new blog this week will highlight all the candidates, so I am looking forward to your comments.
I would volunteer to mediate a debate at the GOP for the candidates. It might scare them off, but it would be entertaining.
Paul Umrichin
1:29 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Howard I agree with the list of what we should be looking for. Unfortunately the Board of Education is not a local elected position. It is local in that a candidate must reside in the locality but overall there are only 7 requirements from the state. As long as these are met the borough CANNOT add any more requirements. When you are elected to the board of education you are not a local elected representative you are a state elected representative.
Howard L. Pearl
1:42 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Paul:
The State requirements notwithstanding, voters may select the best candidate by using these guidelines. Voters should be educated and should have high expectations for all elected officials, even if the selection process is flawed.
Paul Umrichin
2:05 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
I agree wholeheartly with you Howard. I am glad that I didn't get elected last year for the fact that a year and a half later I am still understanding the process. Anyone running should follow Dave's lead and be at the meetings for at least a year prior to running.