Holmdel BOE President: A Staffer's Second Job Was Subject Of Board Investigation
Board President Barbara Garrity issued a statement Monday morning stating board policy was not violated.
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The following statement was issued by the Holmdel School District on Monday morning, around 9 a.m.
A number of parents have expressed their concern about the nature of a recent investigation involving a school staff member. The matter came to public attention following comments made by two members of the Holmdel School Board, which included a reference to recent controversies involving Penn State and Brookdale Community College. While aspects of the matter remain confidential because it involves personnel, I can share a few important facts.
First, school district policy allows staff members to pursue outside consulting activities on their free time outside of their normal business hours. When the Board of Education learned that a staff member may have failed to follow this policy, it requested an investigation conducted by our school attorney. After an extensive review of all the evidence, it was determined that the staff member did not violate the policy. We are respecting this staff member's right to keep the investigation private, which this person specifically requested.
Second, we understand that any reference to Penn State might trigger alarm bells among parents. Let me further emphasize that this matter did not include any allegation or finding of inappropriate behavior involving children.
Third, the reference to Brookdale is also unfair. The investigation did not involve financial improprieties. As I mentioned earlier, the investigation simply involved a matter of policy and whether it was being followed correctly.
I hope this information is helpful. I will provide you with further updates as needs arise.
Thank you,
Barbara Garrity
Board President
frank russ
9:39 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
As I sit at work and deal with the normal Monday morning craziness. I have to take a moment comment on this article. For the love of God please people don't believe what you are reading. Everyone is entitled to work two jobs and better themselves. But not at a Director Level!!!!!! So Garrity please don't try to fool intelligent people. If I am wrong why wasn't this disclosed to the public on Wednesday night after your fellow board members showed their concern?? Why did YOU wait until Monday morning? Perhaps this is your way like usual to try defusing a situation that makes you, Whetmore and Duncan look bad?? I believe that this article was because of the attention surrounding the Satz situation and the way you handle your fellow Board members last week.. Please, please stop the foolish and I suggest that everyone contact the State Board of Ed in Monmouth County and express your concern over the actions of the Board and Ms. Duncan. This will be the only way to make sure that no elected official or town employee can use our tax dollars in unethical way.
Robert H
11:20 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Frank While "they" beat around the bush, why don't you just come out and tell us what really happend.
Vinny
9:46 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
I wonder if she could have been more vague.
Holmdel Repub
10:18 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Not sure what everyone else is reading, but I read this as a teacher or other school employee performing consulting activities - like tutoring or teaching SAT classes. I didn't read anything about a Director level (whatever that means) or a Holmdel BOE employee.
Vinny
10:36 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
It was too vague of a statement to know what she was talking about. I'm guessing for this to have become such of an issue that maybe it was a high level employee that was doing something that is a conflict of interest. Perhaps benefiting from their position. I believe there is going to be a big turnout at the next BOE meeting and more questions will be answered then.
Dave Searles
11:47 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Some people believed something heinous was being covered up because two board members insinuated it with their public comments. They referenced the scandals at Penn State and Brookdale at the same time that they implied that they were being silenced by the rest of the board. This generated hysteria in the community that our children were being victimized and the board was complicit. Unfortunately, many took the bait and assumed the worst.
I am surprised that the community is not taking Mr. Pavlik and Ms. Vander Woude to task for failing to disclose the details of this issue. If the facts were aligned properly in their corner, they should have no fear revealing them in a public forum. It seems to me that their reluctance to offer details lends credence to Ms. Garrity's comments about the rules of confidentiality. The only logical reason why those two board members did not reveal the details of the issue is because they themselves believed they would be violating confidentiality laws/rules. Otherwise, they would have included those details when they made their public incendiary comments at the last board meeting.
I am sure "moonlighting" was not what most of the outraged residents expected this to be all about.
common sense
11:28 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
First of all, it was irresponsible for Pavlik and Vande Woude to make mention of Penn State and Brookdale and cause many residents to become enraged when the matter concerns secondary employment, by a teacher, staffer or administrator. They are entitled by the Board guidelines and the law to be able do whatever they want after their job in the school system is accomplished. Residents seem quick to point fingers, acting without all the facts. Is it not possible that the two Board members that made the statements have their own agenda and could be completely wrong? Having six Board members, the Board attorney and an extremely able Superintendant all back the employee while severly condemning the statement and actions of the minority, means considerably more to me until I know the entire story.