It’s Back to School time! I am sure everyone agrees it was rough getting back on the school schedule! My kids seemed happy as they arrived home from their first day as 4th and 8th graders. I am fortunate to not have had to deal with any of the bus issues that I’ve been reading about from friends…..my oldest had no difficulties….thank God. I am excited that it’s finally time to start sharing my blog with everyone and also happy the BOE has FINALLY posted the minutes from June-August! There is some interesting reading there. I was really perplexed and surprised that the latest person appointed to the board in July (due to the resignation of the president) was someone that seemed to come out of the blue. I’ve never really seen him at a board meeting and his kids are out of DTSD. I guess the reason that puzzled me most was why this person was suddenly interested in becoming a board member in July when he wasn’t interested as of June 5th when all interested candidates had to submit their names to be on the ballot?! Well, it’s interesting to point out that his wife was just hired to a newly created position as secretary of Lake Tract School at $29,000 at the June 26th board meeting then he was appointed as a board member in July. Now, I want to be fair and clear: I don’t personally know the family. I am sure they are wonderful people and his wife may have been the best candidate for that job. This is just an example of what seems to be happening in this town and a way for a select group of people to monopolize the board and get done what they want done….problem is….what they are getting done has little to do with the ABC’s and 123’s. The point is not to bash anyone but rather, to ask when these types of situations keep repeating themselves are we looking at networking or nepotism? If this appointment was made in June, his wife couldn’t have taken that job as it would have been a form of nepotism and broken the Code of Ethics for NJ board members. If you do some research and checking into such simple places as Facebook you can see all of the connections and relations of DTSD and DT employees. I know it’s always about “who you know”….I get that. What is of enormous concern to me is when you focus on getting jobs for friends and family and appointments day in and day out, are you still able to focus on the important topics like curriculum and student achievement? Some may think that’s a stretch but read the minutes and specific strategies for student improvement are few and far between but appointments and new hires are a part of each month’s minutes. It is blatant and repetitive in Deptford. Keep your eye out for this one too: a few months back, a new position was created and approved by the board for a director of operations while Mr. Berglund was still president but never filled. I have had numerous people approach me and tell me that the rumor is that the president resigned his post so he could accept this six figure position. Can I validate that? NO…but only time will tell. A board member has to be separated from the board for at least six months before they can work for the district. Maybe he will be directing the building of the new fire building and remodeling of the Seventh Day Adventist School where they plan to move the New Sharon students (that’s if that goes through). I don’t even understand why he is still part of that process since he’s no longer a board member. After all, he said he resigned because he didn’t have the time to devote to the board anymore due to business ventures and THAT seems super time consuming! It’s just disheartening to hear this rumor spread around our town! In addition when these board appointments keep occurring they are taking the voice away from the voters! You see, someone resigns before their term is up and they find a friend to appoint for the rest of the term. Sure, we all need some help now and then but what about rewards from hard work and merit for integrity? In the combined 50+ years that my family and my husband’s family have resided in Deptford no one has ever been employed by neither DT or the DTSD. I will run my campaign and work hard to bring the facts to light and promise that I am not running for this seat for no other reason than to better our school district! Also, if you go to Monroe Twp.’s Board agenda you’ll see they have appointed Ralph Ross as their Superintendent….odd considering he just stated less than a month ago how he really wants to extend his tenure in Deptford….hmmmm….something’s fishy….stay tuned!!!!
here is a link to the June minutes….see page 5, #5
Here is the director of operations position:
Monroe Township Board of Education Agenda: Sept. 6, 2012 Report of the Superintendent item #4
Stacy Gray For Board Of Education 