Health & Fitness
Is BOE Planning New Contract for Superintendent?
In an incomprehensible move, the Board of Education notices a public hearing to propose a new employment contract with the Woodbridge Superintendent of Schools.
If I told you that a school district had and , you might be questioning the longevity of the Superintendent, who remains responsible for running the district. Some of you might even be looking for an immediate replacement.
What if I told you that the contract does not expire until June 30, 2013 and the Superintendent does not need to be given notice of renewal until late January? I would imagine that most of you, including those who might want a new Superintendent, would wait and see. If the climate doesn't get better by the date of renewal or if it gets worse, don't renew it.
Woodbridge is that district.
Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
From the Superintendent's point of view, however, maybe I would point out the improvement in state test scores. Isn't the primary job of a superintendent the education of our students? I would agree with this, but with a cloud of cheating hanging over the district, all the district's accomplishments are in question. Shouldn't we at least wait for state investigations to be completed? Superintendents are quick to take credit for the positive accomplishments of the district. If improprieties are found, shouldn't they take some of the blame?
In the current climate, this seems like an easy call. Wait it out and see what happens. But during the special meeting of the Woodbridge Township Board of Education on August 7, the Board discussed negotiations with the superintendent and on August 21, the following notice was printed:
Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Woodbridge Township Board of Education will hold a public hearing at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 20, 2012, which is scheduled to commence at 7:00 p.m. in Avenel Middle School, Woodbine Avenue, Avenel, NJ. The purpose of the hearing will be to accept public comment on the Board of education's proposed new employment contract with Dr. John Crowe, Superintendent of Schools. The Board expects to take action regarding Dr. Crowe's employment contract after the public hearing.
Are they kidding? I have not yet seen the proposed contract, but any renegotiation that extends the term of the superintendent is unwarranted. What does the Board do if any wrongdoing is found and it doesn't just stop in the schools? Why take that risk? I would encourage all those opposed to prematurely giving the Superintendent a new contract to make their views known. Go to the hearing in September. In addition, the Board has a special meeting on Monday, August 27. Let your voices be heard.
