Dear Editor:
Last Tuesdays BOE meeting was well attended by parents and students. Important issues were on the table and emotions ran high. Some asserted that members of the Board of Education do not support the theater program or have a vendetta against one particular staff member. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The role of the Board of Education can be confusing (and even frustrating) to some, including Board members themselves, yet, we have very clearly defined responsibilities: to hire and evaluate a Superintendent, to set a budget, to set board and district goals and to set policies for the district. I believe we have been very successful in these duties. Dr. Toback, an experienced Superintendent, was recently hired and in a few short weeks has moved on a number of exciting initiatives, including creating a parent advisory council and partnering with local colleges to enable HHS students to receive college credits. The budget has been set and includes the Board’s desire to fully fund classroom programs for the students and to retain and support our staff. The Superintendent and the Board are also in agreement that all Board policies, State and Federal laws, and Ethics Codes will be administered fairly across the district.
Some in attendance believed that the theater program was singled out for criticism. In fact, all the Board and Administration did was fulfill its legal responsibility to ensure the safety and well being of the students. It is precisely because we value and respect our staff and students that we strive to hire qualified leaders in a fair, open process and develop policies that are then applied to everyone equally. Far from being divisive, the current policies were adopted unanimously.
Hoboken is a small and close knit community where Board members themselves are often longtime members of the community. It is often hard to keep the “arms length” necessary to perform our duties. Parents and teachers know us personally and often want to discuss their concerns, whether via email or on line at the grocery store. We can listen and offer to assist in alerting the Superintendent to a specific concern. However, it is not a Board members duty to administer the district. We cannot and should not make special considerations to individual staff or students. This is difficult for board members and those who seek us out for assistance. We only have power when we convene to vote, which is why it is so important for Board members to attend Board and Committee meetings, that’s the opportunity to advocate for programs and policies. If you are not at the table, casting your vote, you are not truly advocating for the district.
Does that mean we do not feel passion and enthusiasm for programs, projects, students and staff? Of course not! However, if everything is followed fairly and lawfully, there will not be a question or even perception that one project or person is receiving favored treatment or others feeling left out or resentful.
Yours truly,
Irene Sobolov