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Parent complains of district communication over teacher leave; newly elected board member announces immediate resignation
Summary
A parent told the Hazlet Township Board of Education that the district failed to notify families about a teacher’s maternity leave and replacement; shortly after, board member Laurie Joseph announced she was resigning effective immediately and said she plans legal action to secure special‑education services for her son.
During the public‑comment portion of the Hazlet Township Public School District Board of Education meeting, parent Dina Farish of 33 Mason Drive criticized district communication practices after her child’s teacher went on maternity leave without apparent notice to parents.
Farish said all three of her children attend district schools and described learning about the leave from her nine‑year‑old rather than receiving a district or teacher notice. She said she had not been given the name or contact information for the adult who would be responsible for her child’s classroom as of the following school day and called the lack of notice “basic parental breaks on the most fundamental level.”
Nut graf: Farish’s comments urged the board to prioritize routine parent communication about staffing changes, emergency contacts and transition plans for students when classroom staff change. She said not receiving contact information limits parents’ ability to support students during transitions and to report concerns about emotional, mental or physical needs.
Farish said she had previously raised concerns privately with Superintendent Dr. Woodley and that repeated failures to inform parents erode trust between families and the district. She told the board, “Hazlet Township does not care about parents and families,” and urged the district to “do your job” on communications.
Shortly after Farish’s remarks, Laurie Joseph — who identified herself as a newly elected member of the Board of Education — announced she was resigning from the board “effective immediately.” Joseph said she was returning to the public‑comment role as a concerned resident and teacher and said she was resigning to pursue legal action to secure “a safe and appropriate education” for her son. Joseph said she had previously been dismissed from district employment after raising concerns about student outcomes and that she remained committed to advocating for students.
Ending: The board acknowledged the public comments and proceeded with the meeting agenda. Neither district administration nor the board provided a public, detailed response to Farish’s request for immediate contact information for her child’s classroom during the meeting record.
