Notes and Thoughts from the Team on Executive Session Minutes for November 2023 Along with an Update on a few Budget Items Related to Administration

On the CMS Field

So the township has gone silent on the Columbia field discussions and instead has launched the initiative to create an all inclusive playground at Columbia. Given the contention on land boundaries between the township land and BOE land, has the Township done the required due diligence to make sure that the BOE is onboard with any changes to the playground at Columbia? There has been nothing to support that in the minutes of the BOE so far and the township is seeking public input on the project.

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​​[BOE Town Council Liasion], BOE Town Council Liasion, Gale Bradford has not reported a word about the playground project during the last 2 months.

On the OPRA Custodian

So it bothers me that they said possible replacement for the OPRA Custodian.  It also bothers me that the OPRA Custodian is doing any kind of professional development or training – there should be a different kind of discussion about his employment.  And if we absolutely must give him professional development, we do not need to be spending more than $1800 on him.

The district is yet to provide the OPRA log to support its claim of an “onslaught”  The business office still has positions of assistant to a BA so I do NOT see the need for a replacement to OPRA custodian position.

As for professional development, decisions should NOT be made in closed executive session.

They can discuss increasing the limit but a public vote needs to follow in accordance with the  Open Public Meetings Act.

Also all reimbursement of travel for attending conferences for administrators was recently negotiated and agreed upon in 2023 as part of the BHAA  [Berkeley Heights administrators association] contract. So is this an amendment or a backdoor channel for a favored employee?  How is this fair to other employees of the District?  Are other Administrators favored by Varley getting special perks?

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The email from the OPRA Custodian is a gem; citing the infamous “angry parents” for everything wrong within the district and even attempts to blame them from keeping Administrators from furthering their professional development. He also places unnecessary blame on the Board of Education.

His interpretation of the BHAA contract is just that, his own.  A maximum allowance to me is just that, the maximum allowed.  Had the OPRA Custodian truly felt this conference was for the betterment of this school or his ability to Direct DEI, then why not make the case?

Perhaps, the OPRA Custodian’s real issue is not the angry few but the fact that it’s been a year of stakeholders asking for the data collected from the DEI survey administered to our children almost a year ago.  Or, perhaps, why the BHPS community has yet to hear a presentation from the DEI Director himself on the achievements and struggles the district has faced from the implementation of DEI, when he has presented this material at a national conference.

The growing trend in this District, following the saucy resignation letter of long-time Administrator, Annie Corley-Hand, is that Administrators are writing very colorful emails knowing full well that they will be OPRA’d.  This one is no different, however, it is of utmost importance to note that, unlike Corley-Hand’s resignation letter, recent Admin emails continue to attack residents and their negativity for their reason for resigning (see Kot resignation) or withdrawing (see OPRA Custodian withdrawal letter in link below).  Corley-Hand, however,  directly contributes the unprofessional treatment by the Administration and the lack off accountability by the BOE to be a large reason for her departure.  The tides have shifted, and the blame is being thrown at the infamous group of “angry parents.”  If you don’t like the music, then turn down the volume.  But stop shaming those you disagree with, it’s not a good look for the district.

Final Note

While training for administrators is important, it is important to note that during the 2021-2022 budget cycle we had more administrators per student and more administrators per teacher than the six other comparable districts that outperformed us.  This remained true through 2023.

We also budgeted the most per pupil on Administration Salary and Benefits in 2023.

In both time periods we were at the bottom for textbooks and supplies, and reduced spending in this area (as per the budgeted amount) in 2023.

So yes, supporting our Administration is important (and we clearly support our administration) however, BOE Members holding the line on providing even more dollars to Administration is reasonable.

Source for Tables

November 2023 Executive Session Minutes & OPRA Custodian Withdrawal Letter

Email From OPRA Custodian

All Articles on BOE Minutes

All the Articles on the Districts OPRA Issues

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