The Hoboken Board of Education has found the man they want to be superintendent of schools, but they haven’t received the necessary approval of his contract from the county superintendent or the state. The board voted 8-1 on Tuesday to take legal action against the county superintendent and the state Department of Education to expedite an answer as to whether they’ll approve the contract.
At the same meeting on Tuesday, the board voted 9-0 to make Dr. Mark Toback their top candidate, since they were unable to vote to hire him.
“We’re in a position where we don’t have any answers,” said Board Member Theresa Minutillo last week.
“We’re in a position where we don’t have any answers.” – Theresa Minutillo
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In a statewide school board publication, it was reported that Acting Commissioner of Education Rochelle Hendricks directed executive county superintendents to review all school superintendent contracts. Until a complete review is done, no contracts or contract extensions will be approved. Hendricks also noted that existing contracts that expire after Gov. Christopher Christie’s proposed caps on superintendents salaries take effect on Feb. 7 will not be approved unless they comply with the proposed legislation.
Contract negotiations are not new to this board. After advertising the superintendent position in 2008 following the exit of Jack Raslowsky, Hoboken was close to a deal with Frank Romano, the then-Fort Lee assistant superintendent of schools. Contract negotiations hit a snag when both sides couldn’t agree, and then Romano withdrew.
Interim Superintendent Peter Carter has filled in since Raslowsky’s exit.
Minutillo said the legal action is a response to the inaction the board has seen throughout the process from the county and state.
“We’re in this situation because there aren’t any answers,” Minutillo said. “We need leadership. This district has to start moving forward again. We’ve had four years and four searches. It’s not good.”
Experience matters
Toback, who currently serves as a principal and superintendent in the Sussex County Vocational School District, has held a wide variety of positions in public education. He has coached sports, worked as a business administrator, taught math, and served as the principal of a Leonia middle school. It was his extensive resume that put Toback above the rest, according to Board President Rose Marie Markle.
“His background was key,” she said. “He also has the financial background as a business administrator that we need.”
The inaugural visit
During the day on Tuesday, Toback held two meet-and-greet sessions with students and teachers. He thanked a small group of parents, Board of Education officials, and Hoboken residents for “a warm welcome.”
When asked about his vision for the district, Toback said it is something that “needs to be defined over time.”
Toback also said he has experience with special education, as his current district includes 25 percent of the student population in special needs classes. He said he hopes to “incorporate active learning in the high school.”
The tall but soft spoken final candidate for the job knows he will face challenges once he takes the reins.
“One of the challenges will be financing,” he said. “It’s an issue for a lot of schools.”
He said the school district will have to “learn how to do a lot with a lot less money.”
Toback said that the possibility for “professional growth” brought him to Hoboken, and he feels the district is a good fit, given his experience.
Irene Sobolov, a Board of Education member, agreed with him.
“With his experience, on some issues he could really hit the ground running,” Sobolov said.
Parent reacts
One of the few parents in attendance at the Tuesday afternoon session in the Hoboken cafeteria was Peter Fitzgerald, who has a son in the sixth grade.
“So far, from what I’ve seen, I am impressed with him,” Fitzgerald said. “I think he fits into what Hoboken needs. From the brief conversations I’ve had, as far as personality and expertise, it seems as if he could address some of the problems.”
Fitzgerald added, “No one can address all the problems. It’s not a one-man show.”
Ray Smith can be reached at RSmith@hudsonreporter.com.