Dear Editor:
Three years ago, I was approached by current board member Theresa Minutillo and a group of individuals who dubbed themselves “Reformers.” They took the name “Kids First” as their “Trademark” (logo: a kid with a back-pack) hence, running on the “Platform” of putting the interest of our students first – at that time, I was excited to be a part of a “grass-roots” School Reform Movement and I agreed to return to Hoboken School District as a school board trustee and continued my quest to ensure that Hoboken’s students get the world-class education they deserve.
At Tuesday’s Board Meeting (Feb. 9, 2010) during “closed session” it was amazing to witness how easily Theresa Minutillo and Board president Rose Markle courted and jump into bed with some of the same board members we fought to change the status quo up to this point – this is not propaganda – just roll the tape back and review the votes! This is the same “reckless behavior” demonstrated by the previous board majority members, namely Jim Farina, Frances Rhodes-Kearns and Carmelo Garcia; these board members are suspects and the remnants of what we fought against!
Well, Tuesday night I watched them assist Theresa and Board president Markle in their hazardous maneuver to deliver Frank Romano from Fort Lee to Hoboken with a very lucrative contract: $190,000 salary and a guarantee 3.5 per cent annual increase regardless of his performance! How does this behavior show fiscal responsibility to the Tax Payers and our Students; especially during these times of national economic constraints?
At Tuesday (Feb. 9th) Board Meeting (during the closed-session) the public was left waiting down stairs for over two hours – while my colleagues (with the exception of Maureen Sullivan and I) allowed Frank Romano to take them for a ride – he was driving the bus and they were happy to hitch a ride on the back seats – they were willing to give him whatever he wanted; not even trying to use the “leverage” of their negotiating position – he saw their weakness and he worked them accordingly.
Now, for the record: I only advocated re-opening the process of the “Superintendent Search” because I really felt that we did not interview enough strong candidates and I thought we could do better i.e., a candidate with more “Leadership Experience.” Superintendent of Schools is very important it should not be handled as an “on the job training” position.
As I stated at the Board meeting Tuesday night during my dissenting vote, I can no longer be affiliated with “Kid First” for the following reasons: The contract was shoved on the Agenda as a “Live Item” by Kids First and their newly found friends, even though Maureen and I openly expressed our concerns about the rush process. So after that egregious contract was executed; I no longer trust that they will do the right thing going forward – this was all about “closing the deal” before the next School Board Election.
Carrie Gilliard, Vice President
Hoboken Board of Education