Residents question referendum accounting as board advances superintendent search and approves consent agenda
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Summary
Public commenter raised concerns about the 2022 bond referendum accounting and board practices; the board's business administrator clarified the referendum balance, the superintendent search committee reported narrowing candidates to two finalists, and the board approved the consent agenda and a school-board recognition resolution.
A Wall Township resident sharply challenged the district's handling of its 2022 bond referendum and personnel records at the Board of Education's Jan. 20 meeting, prompting board responses and a follow-up update from the superintendent search committee.
Betsy Cross, a member of the public, told the board it had "made a big deal about opening taking public comment" yet moved some items later in the agenda. She alleged the referendum financial summary was inaccurate, saying, "You were off by $21,000,000 on a referendum," and requested attendance records for staff including "Ms. McCann," Dr. Handerhan, Mr. Smythe and Mr. Palumbo. Cross also questioned why district attorneys and administrators were present during recent superintendent interviews and raised concerns about the district's legal fees.
Board member and business administrator Mister Smythe responded that public statements about the referendum and budget were "inaccurate and incorrect." He said the referendum total of "a little over $66,000,000, by statute is not allowed to be exceeded, and has not been exceeded," and noted there is currently "a little over $1,000,000 in available balance" with one scheduled project remaining to be awarded within that balance.
Separately, Superintendent-search committee chair Mister Buffa reported that the search began with 33 candidates, was reduced to about 10 for interviews and later to four; the committee then identified "what we think are the 2 best candidates" and will present those to the full board at a Jan. 30 meeting with the goal of appointing at the Feb. 17 board meeting.
After discussion, the board approved the consent agenda by roll call and approved a resolution recognizing January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month. On the consent agenda vote, members responded in roll call with affirmative votes; the board then moved into executive session.
Votes at a glance - Consent agenda: Approved by roll call (all present voted in favor). - Resolution: School Board Recognition Month (January 2026): Approved by voice vote (Aye).