Editorial - Kings Park BOE - Moving The District Forward

Our kudos go to the people who showed-up to express rational opinions at the Kings Park Board of Education (BOE) meeting on January 17.   There were many people in the audience who expressed real concerns about transportation issues and contract negotiations.   Sitting in an audience and realizing that a decision is already made, and that your comments will not be considered is extremely frustrating.

While the audience was there for many reasons, spelling bee contestants, Intel Semifinalists, the budget, transportation,  the most vocal group was there to confront the board about extending Superintendent Agruso’s contract.

Some members of the BOE seemed surprised by the rude and aggressive behavior by some members of the audience.  Agendas go online when they are created; board meetings are video taped and available to the public. “Where have these people been? We have Board meetings and the public rarely shows up. I have not received phone calls or emails from any of the people who showed up tonight. Not one person called to express concern about the contract extension. Where have they been?” Said Board member Marie Goldstein. 

Last minute agendas encourage a sense of clandestine activity.  Even worse than a last minute agenda is the behind the scene gossip and texting about dastardly deeds that are taking place covertly when something unexpected appears on an agenda. It seems for some people in the audience that is exactly what happened.  They were of the mindset that behind the scenes, Board members William Motherway, Marie Goldstein and Tom Locascio, conspired to extend the school superintendent’s contract without listening to the voices of two of the board members, Steve Weber and Liz Barrett. “Not so, we determined last year that we would extend the contract and that we would put it on the agenda in January.  This should not have surprised anyone on the board. This was discussed.” Said  Marie Goldstein.

There was a coordinated effort to stop this vote.  Flyers, which included phone numbers and email addresses of board members were handed out throughout the district. Some people in the audience pointed to Board member Steve Weber as the coordinator of the “stop the contract extension movement”.  Steve Weber in a phone conversation denied this, “I did not give out flyers nor did I encourage people to attend this particular meeting.  I always support participation by the public.  I believe in it. I believe that a written evaluation is an important part of the process and I did not expect to extend the Superintendent’s contract without it.”

Left out of the discussion, was why three Board of Education members would violate the trust of parents and the relationship of all the board members by voting on something that was never discussed.  The answer, in my opinion, is they wouldn’t.

I do not know what transpired in executive board meetings or at the retreat the board members attended.  What I do know for certain is that there are mechanisms in place to prevent the chaos that occurred at the board meeting.  The minutes went out to board members and there was ample opportunity to question the agenda.  There was ample opportunity to request an item be removed or to call for an executive session to discuss the matter.  That didn’t happen and it should have! 

Instead what transpired was sad.  Two members, Ms. Barrett and Mr. Weber, voted “no” to the contract extension on the grounds that a job performance evaluation was not done. Despite the fact that there is an evaluation for Dr. Agruso that is less than a year old. The vote was three-two in favor of the contract extension. Members of the audience left unhappy and angry with Board members.

It is obvious that the members of the Board of Education suffered a set back.  Not because there was a difference of opinion, that happens.  The problem now is that there is a lack of trust amongst the members and people in the district. 

In the end it is the value the Superintendent brings to the district.  Are things better under Dr. Agruso’s leadership?  Marie Goldstein said it best, “I voted yes for 4,106 reasons, our students. The ability to maximize our children’s educational experience is what is most important. I was not always a fan of Dr. Agruso’s, but she has showed her commitment to our students and their future. I support that.”

I couldn’t agree more.  Time to do damage control and get on with the business of education.

Pat