Board Still Seeks Superintendent, Over Chester's Objection

Despite a resolution approved by the Chester Borough council asking the West Morris Regional Board of Education to hold off on hiring a new superintendent, the district’s representatives voted down a motion to do so, and moved forward with the search process.

Chester representative Marcia Asdal presented the motion that would accept the resolution from the sending municipality, which was supported by Mendham Township representative James Button.

Chester borough currently does not have a seat on the regional board, but after a decision , the municipality will have representation after the school board election in April 2012.

Some members of the board felt strongly about the borough’s resolution, and said it was interfering with the school board’s goals.

“We’re not subservient to any one community,” said Chester representative and board vice president . “Everyone on this board represents the entire district, not just one town. The board should not have its hands tied by outside governance.”

Button, who seconded the motion, said it was only fair for the board to wait until Chester borough was seated to go forward in hiring a full-time superintendent.

“I think we’re moving forward the way we’re supposed to as a board,” said Washington Township representative Joseph Galayda. “Let’s see what’s out there. Let’s kick the tires a bit. This doesn’t mean we’re hiring a superintendent next week.”

The board voted at its previous meeting to hire Dr. Richard Fiander, a consultant that would conduct resume collection and reference checks for possible candidates. .

Fiander reported before Monday’s meeting that there are eight resumes he wanted the board to review. The board is tentatively scheduling a meeting with Fiander for Jan. 23 to discuss the candidates.

More than time constraints and waiting for a new member, one board member was concerned about the future Chester borough representative’s experience.

“When we are elected to the board, we go through training, and there’s a lot of learning involved,” said Mendham borough representative Jacke Schram. “Is it advisable for someone with no training to make what many consider to be the board’s most important job?”

Because of the board’s original vote to go forward with the superintendent search took place at it’s previous meeting, and now a motion to stop that search was on the table, board president Cristen Forrester feared what the district would look like to potential candidates.

“You’re asking the board to flip-flop,” Forrester said. “Doing that puts the district at a distinct disadvantage in the search. We won’t be taken seriously by candidates.”

During the discussion it was noted that 10 school districts–Mendham’s K-8 among them–were advertising and actively searching for superintendents currently.

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. at Mendham High School.