Pearls of Wisdom

At the BOE meeting on Monday, January 25, 2012, something miraculous happened. Board members spoke without the resident attorney pushing the mute button on his remote. Finally, there was an open meeting with discussions and interaction that will hopefully prognosticate future BOE meetings.  

An announcement was made that a “search firm” had been engaged. Hallelujah! Or maybe not! On the surface this would appear to be a positive step to put to rest a volatile issue that has dominated BOE meetings since the promise to hire a search firm in September 2011. One positive result was clear on Monday, the announcement led to a transparency that we have not seen in a long time at a Board meeting. 

Linda McCue, a highly respected board member, proceeded to take the stage and to enlighten the audience on the decision-making process. She stated for the record that she had voted against the hiring of a search firm and proceeded to outline her reasons. She praised Steven Engravalle’s performance as stellar. She cited the three previous search firms that had been engaged over the last six years, the costs involved and the negative outcomes. She saw no logical reason for the BOE to expend $9,500 for a search firm, plus additional advertising costs, estimated at $ 4,000, when there was already an excellent superintendent in-house. Kudos to Ms. McCue for her honesty in expressing her point of view. 

Angela Napolitano, another longtime, respected board member, followed Linda with a similar commentary, but with one codicil. She stated for the record that, along with Mr. Engravalle, there were qualified candidates in the Fort Lee educational community who had expressed interest in the superintendent position. We could open up the position to these individuals, i.e. there is no reason to engage a search firm. The BOE could then select from Mr. Engravalle and these other candidates as to whom would assume the superintendent position permanently. Angela verified that she had voted “No” also. Kudos to Ms. Napolitano for her willingness to stand up against a questionable Board decision. 

Unfortunately, what ensued post-Angela was the parade of “wishy-washy,” indecisive rhetoric that has permeated the BOE for so long. Peter Suh, Yusang Park and Charlie Luppino proceeded to praise Mr. Engravalle’s performance, but stated that they chose to vote “Yes” for the engagement of a search firm. It was implied that they were voting to appease the anti-Engravalle contingent, rather than taking a stance and showing their firm support for Mr. Engravalle.   

Note: Mr. Levine has been a consistent supporter of Mr. Engravalle, but did not comment on his vote. Mr. Surace, Ms. Yoon and Mr. Bang chose not to comment on their votes. (Some of us are still waiting for Mr. Bang to make good on his campaign promise to raise funds to support Fort Lee schools).

The actual problem began in September 2011, when the anti-Engravalle dissidents insisted on the hiring of a search firm. At that time, the BOE members needed to display a united front to the public. They should have supported Mr. Engravalle unilaterally and given him an opportunity to prove that he was up to the task.  Instead, the BOE members caved to public sentiment, appeasing those community members who believed Mr. Engravalle to be unsuitable for the superintendent position, primarily for issues relating to his past. 

It remains my belief that a compromise was possible, i.e. to open the position up to qualified candidates within the Fort Lee educational community. Instead the BOE will now potentially waste $14,000-plus to do a search, which may very well result in Mr. Engravalle being named the permanent Superintendent! How many new, updated textbooks would $14,000 buy for the elementary schools? How many new computers could Fort Lee High School purchase with $14,000? What new lab equipment could have been afforded at Lewis F. Cole Middle School for $14,000?

Six members of the BOE stood up and stated that Mr. Engravalle has done an excellent job and should be awarded the Superintendent position on a permanent basis.   

Maybe we should be hiring a search firm, but not for the superintendent position.  Perhaps we should hire a search firm to find a few new BOE members with some real backbone; BOE members that will work together toward common goals; BOE members that will bring a brighter future to Fort Lee education.