A Routine Pre-Election BR-BOE Meeting runs amuck

Most meetings of the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education are relatively tame.  Many of them, especially those having to do with issues near and dear to the hearts of one or more board members will, from time to time, result in very spirited debate in which clear cut views are made plain.  However in the end, opinions are clarified, discussion is closed, a direction is given or a vote is taken, and matters move ahead.

It is very rare that an issue gets as red-hot as a branding iron, but that is what happened on Monday evening, at the John F. Kennedy school in Raritan.  At the beginning and, towards its end, the agenda of that meeting and the ensuing discussions were routine, nothing unusual.  But that would not last.

On Monday, the first row of seats was occupied by students, parents and their supporters on an issue of importance to them.  Proponents stepped to the podium and engaged in easy conversation with members of the board.  This happens often; everything went smoothly.

Several other rows that were occupied in the gym included at least three non-incumbent candidates:  Barry Walker, Lisa Weinstock and Ali Ali, each hoping to lasso one of two open seats on the board.  A fourth, non-incumbent candidate is Christopher Larson.

 

Of the two available seats for Bridgewater, the first is currently held by incumbent Evan Lerner, while the second, now held by Arvind Mathur will be vacated due to his decision not to seek another term after eleven years of service.

Board meetings always provide for “Other Business,” an item which affords board members a chance to bring up other topics.  These are usually uneventful and of short duration.  By that time, everyone is eager to close out the evening.

Well, not last Monday.  Board member Dr. Arvind Mathur asked for the floor and began reading a memo which had been sent by a parent to each of the nine board members, as well as to newly appointed Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Victor Hayek.  That’s when mayhem broke loose – haven’t seen that happen in many, many years.

As Mathur began commenting upon that e-mail and stating his concerns, board member Evan Lerner interrupted, expressing his displeasure that “discussing e-mails [sent] to board members at public board meetings is not appropriate.” He then seemed to lose his temper, rose to leave, and stopped only to throw away his papers, then stormed out of the gym.

Dr. Mathur was allowed to continue, as Board President Jeffrey Brookner indicated that he did not think that he could “muzzle” him.  Also offering her opinion, board member Lynne Hurley suggested that the issue would be better discussed at a “board retreat.”

By now, you should be confused.  So was I.  No one in the audience had any clue as to what this was all about.

I’ve since obtained a copy of what is a multiple-page document of e-mail exchanges between a very concerned parent (name redacted) and Evan Lerner.  The parent’s missive indicates strong disapproval at receiving “unsolicited emails from Evan Lerner.”  Of and by itself, that annoyance might not have resulted in a backlash.

 

However, the rest of this electronic exchange then ventures into matters that are very close to the heart of each parent – specifically, which school child gets into what type of special program, the nature and quality of that program; and, more narrowly,  how that affects a parent’s own child within that program.

In conjunction with this, the names of two other current board members who allegedly champion one of those programs is disclosed, along with the claim of “a divide on the board” . . . “check out the 5/4 votes if you’d like.”

None of these matters surprises me in the least.

 

But I think that this board has to come together and 1.) Implement much better board meeting management such as is already on the books, but is largely ignored and out of practice and, 2.) Establish strong rules and guidelines about e-mail lists and their use in electioneering.

Board elections can get very tough and sometimes off-track.  It’s time for this one to get back online.

NOTE:  The e-mail in question is a public record, does not involve district personnel, and may have the name of its initiator redacted for privacy.  Only the names of several board members are mentioned, and that is public information.  This document comes under the provisions of the Sunshine Act, and a copy must be released to anyone requesting it of the School Business Administrator/Board Secretary.

NOTE:  An official BR-BOE audio recording of the section of the meeting at which the board discussed the topic touched upon in this post may be heard by clicking here at time marker 1:36:32 on the recording.

The General Election and the School Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4.  Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 8:0 PM