Plainfield's Board of Ed kept residents, teachers and journalists waiting for an unexpected two and a half hours at Monday's special board meeting while they delved into 'personnel matters' (see notice of meeting here, PDF). The REALLY INTERESTING STUFF was taking place out of sight.
Three times the Board sent someone to notify the crowd that deliberations were not yet over (see Maria's riff on that here, and Bernice here). While it was a decent gesture, it hardly mollified those waiting, many of whom had not been home for dinner yet due to the early hour (6:00 PM) of the meeting.
When the Board finally convened at about 8:30, I noticed at once that Dr. Gallon was not at the table -- though his car was in the parking lot. I was told by a former Board member sitting nearby that Gallon's absence meant the Board would be unable to take any action since all Board actions have to be 'upon the recommendation of the Superintendent'.
Sure enough, Board President Lenny Cathcart made a one sentence statement that 'no action would be taken', and the meeting was summarily adjourned.
Rumors had been circulating throughout the day -- that the Jane Does were to be put out of their misery by the Board, that Dr. Gallon was trying to negotiate a settlement in exchange for his departure, that the state's investigative findings (from OFAC) were in and NOT good (for more, see Renata's blog here).
Most damning -- and FATAL, by my lights, IF TRUE -- is the rumor that Dr. Gallon had allowed a District administrator to use Gallon's South Plainfield home address to falsely register their child (or children) in the South Plainfield Public Schools while not legally resident in that borough.
Dr. Gallon needs to get out in front of this rumor immediately and quash it if it is not true.
For if it is, it means that he has broken the most fundamental bond of trust needed between a school district's chief administrator and the taxpayers, parents, teachers and students of the district -- that of unreserved support of the public school system that has employed him or her.
If it turns out to be true, it is not only a violation of our trust, it has possible legal repercussions, since the deception may be actionable at law by the South Plainfield schools.
If true, this situation, added to the lack of judgment exercised in the whole certifications imbroglio involving Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2, would put Dr. Gallon in a morally untenable position.
If the state's OFAC findings point to fraudulent dealings in the hirings, Dr. Gallon, who made the recommendation to hire the Jane Does to the Board, would find himself also possibly in the state's crosshairs.
It is in Dr. Gallon's best interest to dispense these rumors with facts as quickly as he can, if he can.
If he cannot do so to the Board's, the public's and the state's satisfaction, the Board of Ed needs to dig in its heels -- out of its fiduciary duty to the taxpayers -- and JUST SAY NO.
It is unfortunate for Board members facing re-election this spring that all of this is coming to a head as we roll into the election season.
They are likely to be judged on their support for Dr. Gallon up to this point -- however well-intentioned or ill-informed -- and to be found wanting by the voters.
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