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Board meeting turns tense as parent raises unanswered emails and ethics concerns
Summary
A parent criticized trustees for unanswered emails, alleged unilateral interim-hire decisions and referenced policies 0174 and 0177; a staff member cautioned that closed-session matters are confidential and a heated exchange ensued between the parent and the presiding officer.
During an extended public-comment segment, a parent who identified herself earlier as Amanda Green told trustees she had several unanswered emails to President Maureen Harris and Vice President Stein dating back to Jan. 15 and said she was troubled that an interim hire appeared to have been made unilaterally.
"I have several unanswered emails to both president and trustee, Maureen Harris, as well as vice president trustee Stein," Amanda Green said, adding she had received no response to messages as recent as Feb. 4. She said she believed policies 0174 and 0177 needed more explicit regulations and suggested trustees could face ethics charges; she said she would consider contacting NJSBA to file a complaint.
A staff member and the presiding officer repeatedly reminded commenters that matters discussed in closed session are protected by attorney-client privilege. The exchange became heated: the presiding officer interjected, "This is not the time for that," and at one point the presiding officer said to the commenter, "You are a liar." The commenter replied, "Don't call me a liar." Board members later urged civility and asked participants to provide written materials and contact details so administration could follow up.
The board did not take formal action on ethics or communications at the meeting; trustees said they would review the policies and consult legal counsel where appropriate.
