Additional Thoughts on the 06/29/2023 BOE Meeting

BOE Candidate Sai Akiri Responds to Gale Bradford’s Speech

-Sai Akiri

At the special board meeting called on June 29, 2023, two key administrative positions were appointed with zero community input while the entire board was not present. This calls attention to the critical need for more regularly scheduled board meetings.

According to state laws, bills cannot be approved at special board meetings, yet TWO administrators’ positions were approved in this meeting. The Assistant Superintendent (next in line after Dr.Varley) along with a Director were hired at the speed of light with zero transparency in a highly secretive interview selection process.

Gales’ speech is another layer of evidence of the tone-deaf nature of our Board meetings.  The theater of Gale Bradford reading a prepared statement without regard to the actual questions or concerns of the community members is on full display in this video. Gales’ narrative is largely irrelevant to the agenda item the board voted on during the meeting. – the only connection is her bizarre defense of shredding records.

After listening to Ms. Bradford’s monologue and her mention of shredding, I looked up records retention rules for school districts; they clearly state there is a requirement to keep the records of all the applicants.

https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/rms/retention.shtml

https://www.nj.gov/treasury/revenue/rms/pdf/m700101_004.pdf

Also, in her monologue, Gale Bradford names the technology our District uses as if it is an excuse or offset for the fact that Berkeley Heights schools have declined in rankings per NJ State Department of Education Proficiency data.

The excuse that data is “complex” is one more sign that we need new BOE leadership that is ready to take on the task of improving our student achievement. 

We can twist and distort reality while our students fall behind or accept the facts and work towards finding real solutions to rebuilding our schools.

The BOE majority has chosen their path.

Related Articles:

As The Board Turns

Sai’s Notes on the 06/29/2023 Agenda

Laura’s Notes on the 06/29/2023 BOE Agenda