It's a Matter of Process: Keep it Moving Along

Well, for those of you at the BOE meeting Monday night it certainly was interesting or maybe intense is the right word? It left me a little baffled, a bit annoyed, because it was so confused and contrived. But I'm even more committed to doing what I feel is best for the district via this blog and holding steady in my beliefs about putting Education First, kids first. I think we all want the same things, but just have different ideas as to how to get there, but we will get there. This meeting will be televised this week on channel 81 TWC; check the listings.

The temporary Superintendent got the letter approving his status as temporary. It did go from ‘Acting’ to ‘Interim’ for the simple fact that the term ‘Interim’ implies qualified per certification with the state. The term ‘Acting’ refers to an emergency timeframe that can temporarily give a non-(fully)certified person license to run the district. It was remedied at the request of the DOE for contract approval. This is a matter of semantics at this point, and I guess at any point, Engravalle has always had his Superintendent license and experience. It was never an emergency situation and never fit ‘Acting.’ The add-in to the agenda also gave approval for the stipend. This was not a big deal unto itself, but it did bring up another issue, and people have the right to be concerned and should be asking the much needed questions.

There is concern that the search for the Superintendent is not progressing in a timely fashion, or really not at all. That is concerning and a matter of process (I wish Mr. Sugarman was present, he coined the term in October and the sentiment rings true now). Just to refresh your memories: upon the resignation of Dr. Bandlow, the BOE voted to solicit search firms that recruit candidates for the position of Superintendent. Individual members of the BOE promised to get as many applicants as possible and choose the most qualified, and of course we expect that the best candidate would get the position. Several requests for bids from recruiting companies were sent out, only a few replied, which were less than satisfactory. The search was expanded and we still only have a few firms to choose from. From what was stated, the firms that replied are less than acceptable for reasons that cannot be disclosed publicly at this time. This is where it is held up (and my guess is that the BOE is busy with the Referendum). I suppose interviews could be conducted to delve into the different search firms’ success in placing Superintendents or at least be scheduled for after the referendum. Or an Internal Posting could go up (but we need to be careful with that, and the personnel and RICE laws for existing employees, and the private and public hearings, so we will hear little of this also). It would have been nice to hear what the next step in the plan would be, and the delay in communicating that left an antagonistic air about the room during the meeting because questions were not being answered (more of that later though).

Please keep in mind that since there is no posting for a vacant position, Engravalle cannot apply for it either! There is no vacancy as Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent; the BOE has not set a motion forth to be voted on. When I hear that the BOE members are accused of intentionally falsifying information or misleading the public, I have to object and ask that the process, however arduous and painstaking it is, be allowed to move along. Is it the best? No, it’s what we have. Would I have liked to hear what the next step in the plan was? Yes! But we are not privy to that information until it can be made public. Are we all frustrated and a bit fearful that the truth is not being disseminated? Yes! However, when I step back and remove as much emotion as I can and carving out the facts, I was left with fact: We need a permanent Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, we have a qualified yet temporary employee in place, we have internal candidates that qualify for these positions, money is tight, we have expensive proposals that are unacceptable for whatever reason and essentially a district that is going through a policy and procedure overhaul, limited curricula, failing schools, crumbling school facilities and another referendum. I don’t want the BOE to just appoint a Superintendent without researching it well and deciding what is best for our community, which should take time. So, I found there is some level of relief when I see the BOE  is taking its time for one of the most important duties they have (selecting a Superintendent for our district).

Weighing the ROI of hiring a recruiting firm for 30 or 40K, do we really need to spend that? Alternatively, can we do a huge recruitment satisfactorily ourselves? Engravalle’s temporary contract can be extended up to two years (I believe). Do we really need to do that? Will he commit to us if we do not commit to him? I do not know. The longer he is here as ‘temporary,’ the more he can prove himself in a very large district and has, as well as increasing the risk of losing another Superintendent. Will he get a  contract with a town that values their school system and sees the talent? Are we willing to risk it and bring in another newbie? I think in all reasonable expectation, Engravalle is doing very well and will continue to do a great job for the Fort Lee SD, if permitted, and supported. Change is tough, our district has had no continuity of leadership in the past decade or so, and we need it! When I look at this objectively, taking time, weighing the needs and wants of the district, being fiscally responsible, methodically going through appropriate possibilities and everything else that is involved, taking time is the only way the process can work out best for our children.

However, taking time does not mean stop. Keep it moving along. There are a lot of citizens who whole-heartedly believe in the search, and that must be considered. Decisions need to be made. Communicating what the next anticipated step is would be appreciated. If it is a different avenue than the original plan, let us know! The rumors and innuendos are damaging at every turn and to all reputations and near impossible to recover from. I wonder if the next step should be to see if it's worth doing an extensive search through the search firms or just post it internally and publicly. Maybe we do not need to? I know I am not privy to internal discussions and honestly do not want to hear things that are protected or premature. I do not believe in transparency. I think that it is a subjective or idealistic notion that will never be satisfactory to all involved. My definition is different than the next person, so just tell me what you can, not what you think I want to know. I just want to hear forthright explanation of  facts or process and truly believe that due diligence was done and we have what our community needs. This is a matter of process, being forthright with information, and process is paramount to ensuring public trust.

Now, behavior. Oh boy! This was a difficult situation Monday night! Feelings and just the general air in the room was thick and complicated. Frustration abounded and created hurt feelings and invalidation, which is not conducive to any person, for any reason. Waves of consuming tension went back and forth, hearts wide open to campaign for what they believe is best for our district, only to be shut down or dismissed to less than sympathetic recipients, back and forth. It made it obvious, we all need to act better. We need to follow the rules (when we figure out what they are) and just be a smidgen more courteous to each other (not really, we need to be a whole lot more courteous). And by ‘we’ I mean the BOE to the Gallery and the Gallery to the BOE, and any other adult in that room. What happened to us? We are all here for the same reason. The frustration level created by insinuations and antagonistic, sarcastic comments left a quagmire of ineffective and inefficient emotional rhetoric that does not do anyone any good. Let’s get out of the muck and remember what we are all there for: our kids!

And a shout out of sheer happiness! I have to leave you on a good note! The Ft Lee Council liaison was present to observe as well as another council member, who came as a citizen! You heard our pleas and fulfilled a need when you became aware of it! Thank you, gentlemen!

Vote YES for the Referendum, Vote YES for our Children!