According to the NJ School Ethics Act of 1991:
18A:12-22. Findings, declarations
The Legislature finds and declares:
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a. In our representative form of government it is essential that the conduct of members of local boards of education and local school administrators hold the respect and confidence of the people. These board members and administrators must avoid conduct which is in violation of their public trust or which creates a justifiable impression among the public that such trust is being violated.
b. To ensure and preserve public confidence, school board members and local school administrators should have the benefit of specific standards to guide their conduct and of some disciplinary mechanism to ensure the uniform maintenance of those standards among them.
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L.1991,c.393,s.2. - http://www.state.nj.us/education/ethics/act.htm
Regarding (a), the public’s and the media’s negative reaction to their behavior are clear proof that the Montclair BOE and Superintendent have violated the respect and confidence of the district. This unfortunate reality is a result of their secretive, sneaky, transparency-free, and confusing actions stemming from the implementation of the “Strategic Plan”.
Regarding (b), there are no known disciplinary mechanisms in place to ensure the uniform maintenance of the Montclair Board’s ethical standards (if there are, they haven’t been shared with the public).
Given that the BOE was appointed by the Mayor, shouldn’t he be providing oversight of the Board’s actions/decisions/conduct, rather than be a silent – and seemingly approving - partner?
