Board votes to readvertise for superintendent position
Newly elected board members seek part in candidate selection process
The Asbury Park Board of Education has reopened its search for a new district superintendent.
Causing the board to reopen the search is the addition of two new board members — Kenneth Saunders, Jr. and Felicia Simmons — who were appointed to fill two vacancies last month. In order for the two members to take part in the selection of a new superintendent, the process must start over from scratch, said Board Attorney Kim Belin.
The vote to reopen was 6-1. Board members Saunders [shown above, at center], Simmons [right], Qzeena Taylor, Nicole Harris, Christian Hall and Vice President Geneva Smallwood [left] voted yes. Board President Angela Ahbez-Anderson voted no. Board member Barbara Lesinski walked out of the meeting after objecting to the move before the final vote was taken. Board member Joseph Raines Jr. was not present at the meeting.
“If we are looking at the best interest of our children, I would like to have input on all of the candidates,” Saunders said.
“It’s only normal” that the new board members wanted a chance to vet all of the candidates, said Vice President Smallwood.
Six members of the council who conducted interviews of potential candidates had narrowed their choice down to one individual. The decision comes on the eve of a site visit to the potential candidate’s school district.
Site visits are generally reserved for final candidates. They give school board members the chance to see the candidates in their own workplace, and to vet what was shared by the potential candidates in previous interviews.
Two members of the board opposed the decision.
“He is a change agent and will be a good thing for this district,” said Ahbez-Anderson.
“He knows he is a preferred candidate and has already made arrangements with his life,” Lesinski said.
Lesinski, frustrated, walked out of the meeting before the vote to reopen the search took place.
“It is unfair just to stop the process,” Lesinski said. “I’m embarrassed for the district tonight.”
“The candidate we selected has a track record of improving the scores of students in his district and has achieved an award for his contributions to minority students and the city could have benefited from his educational expertise,” Lesinski later told the Sun.
“Ultimately, the board gets to do two things — set policy and hire a superintendent,” said State Monitor Lester Richens. “They have decided to reopen the search. Nothing precludes any candidate from re-applying.”
Interim Superintendent of Schools Robert Mahon will remain at his post until the board appoints a new superintendent. Mahon was chosen to temporarily fill the vacancy left by Superintendent Denise Lowe after the district voted not to renew Lowe’s contract in November 2012. He also served as interim superintendent four years ago before Lowe’s appointment, he previously told the Sun.
Although the board will have to pay for the cost to re-advertise the position, their current contract with the New Jersey School Boards Association for assistance with the search will remain intact until a new superintendent is hired, Richens said.
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