The Glen Rock Board of Education completed its annual evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Charleston on Sept. 24, 2024, giving him an overall rating of “proficient” while identifying areas for growth in board‑superintendent relations, communication, and family engagement.

The evaluation, read aloud in public by the Board President (name not specified), said district goals were left blank in the superintendent’s submitted materials and that supporting documentation and a superintendent narrative were not provided. The board’s summary said the absence of documented goals limited its ability to assess progress and to use the evaluation as a leadership tool.

Why it matters: the board said the relationship between trustees and the superintendent affects long‑term planning, transparency and community trust. Several board members urged a more collaborative approach to goal‑setting and communications so the board and administration can present unified priorities to the community.

Board members cited specific concerns. Board President (name not specified) read the evaluation’s assessment of Standard 1 (mission, vision and core values) and said comments included a “sense of resignation” in updates and that "communication feels one‑sided." The report also rated governance, ethics and professional norms and community of care and family engagement as areas for growth.

Mr. Corey, a board member, said the absence of supporting evidence in the evaluation forced the board to “start from a nearly blank slate” and stressed the need for transparency when the district and board must build coalition on contentious issues. Miss Stevenson and other trustees echoed the need for documentation and two‑way communication to inform board decisions.

Public commenters repeatedly urged the board to hold the superintendent accountable and to repair relationships with staff. Elizabeth Carr, who said she resigned from the board last year, told the board: "Under his leadership, the quality of education in this district is declining and our schools are suffering because of it," and cited teacher attrition and morale as chief concerns. Angela Pucci Bender, a former superintendent and board member, told trustees the superintendent had "single handedly divided this board" and urged uniform treatment of board members.

The evaluation acknowledged district strengths, including operations management, curriculum and assessment, and professional capacity, and noted Hamilton School’s 2023 National Blue Ribbon Award as a district accomplishment. But the evaluation said the superintendent did not submit a narrative of accomplishments, and trustees said that omission limited the report’s usefulness.

Dr. Charleston declined to speak at the meeting and said he would "read the evaluation" and provide a written response "as [he] deem[s] necessary." The board did not take disciplinary action during the public session; its formal action was to complete and publish the collective evaluation with recommendations for improved communication and collaboration.

The board recommended that the superintendent prioritize constructive communication with trustees, foster a collaborative governance model that gives the board meaningful input on priorities, and improve transparency around administrative decisions. Trustees said they will discuss the board’s self‑evaluation ahead of a planned board retreat.

The meeting included a brief closed session before the public evaluation discussion and several public commenters who urged the board and superintendent to repair relationships for the sake of students and staff.