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Resident questions consultant hire, bidding and internal controls
Summary
A resident at the Hackensack School District public-comment period asked why the district hired an outside consultant (named in comment as "Thomas Regan"/"Egan"), whether state and federal bidding rules were followed, and whether the consultant's duties will duplicate existing business-administrator responsibilities.
A resident during the Hackensack School District public-comment period urged the board to explain why it hired an outside consultant identified in the comment as "Thomas Regan" (the speaker also said "Egan") instead of using the district's existing business manager and assistant administrator. "My question is why hire them in the 1st place when you have already a business manager or administrator and an assistant administrator?" the resident asked.
The commenter said they were concerned the consultant's role — described by the speaker as a budget analyst — would duplicate responsibilities already handled by district administrators and would not address internal operational controls, policies or procedures. The speaker also asked whether the district followed state and federal bidding requirements and what procurement threshold applies to the services at issue.
The resident suggested the district needs a hands-on operational overseer rather than a consultant supported by a larger staff, arguing that clear policies and procedures would resolve a substantial share of budget and finance problems. The board did not provide an immediate response during public comment; the presiding officer had announced that board and superintendent responses would be held until the end of public participation.
