In an incredible turn of events, Ms. Stanley appears to confirm that Ms. Penna may have in fact, violated Ethical standards in connection to allegations that Ms. Penna was electioneering at Woodruff.
N.J.S.A 18A:12-24.1(d) states:
“I will carry out my responsibility, not to administer the schools, but, together with my fellow board members, to see that they are well run.”
In her response to an email a concerned parent sent to the BOE yesterday on concerns Ms. Penna was electioneering on Woodruff grounds, Ms. Stanely replied:
“Mrs. Penna is Vice – President of the Board of Education and was doing her job. We are very lucky to have such wonderful and involved members. You will see them at many events supporting our teachers, students and community. Thank you for taking notice.
If you have any concerns about your PTO, please reach out to them. They will be happy to assist you.”
Ethical guidelines are clear: BOE Business is NOT to be done on school grounds. Woodruff’s staff are now in the awkward position of potentially providing details of Ms. Penna’s actions at Woodruff if an ethics complaint arises due to her actions. Ms. Penna and the bloc she represents on the BOE have been criticized for taking actions that are pulling the BOE further and further away from a focus on schools. This situation has the potential to be outright disruptive.
Imagine being a teacher or administrator accountable to Dr. Varley, who has demonstrated a clear and evidenced bias towards Ms. Penna, and being asked to testify to ethics complaints surrounding Ms. Penna’s business at Woodruff school on the first day.
To be fair, it is unrealistic for staff to know fully what Ms. Penna was doing there – they were too busy doing their jobs. There does not appear to be any staff monitoring Ms. Penna’s activities in the images we received – or none that we could tell. As a protection to the District, it really is in everyone’s best interest that Ms. Penna stop showing up to schools, getting in the way of doorways as children and staff are trying to get on with their day.
You can can find a copy of the full exchange between Ms. Stanley and the parent here (https://bit.ly/3L9jHBF)
Related Articles:
PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT BOE CANDIDATE ELECTIONEERING ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
CONCERNS OVER GROWING LEGAL BILLS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED
DR. VARLEY’S LEGAL TEAM TRIES TO PREVENT RESIDENT FROM ATTENDING HEARING ON NEPOTISM ALLEGATION
OPRA, ATTORNEYS AND AWARDS CEREMONIES
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