State monitor again rejects Allen’s appointment as super
Morris had cautioned board not to appoint Allen in executive session
State Monitor Carole Morris has rejected the Asbury Park Board of Education’s majority decision to appoint Gregory Allen as the interim superintendent of schools.
It is the second time Morris has rejected the board’s decision to appoint Allen.
As the appointed state monitor for the district, Morris has the final call on all district staffing matters, which includes the ability to hire, promote and fire employees.
“I have reviewed documents, meeting minutes and files related to the search and appointment of a candidate for Interim Superintendent by the Asbury Park Board of Education, and I have determined to override the decision of the Board of Education to select Gregory Allen as its Interim Superintendent of Schools,” said Morris in a letter addressed to the board dated July 29.
In the letter, Morris cites the board’s failure to follow proper hiring procedures put forth by the state commissioner of education that require an open, fair review of the candidates as the number one reason for her reversal of the appointment.
The letter goes on to state four members of the nine member board were not aware of the board’s plan to appoint Allen during the July 10 meeting, which was not listed as an agenda item, and that in an earlier executive session Morris advised board members against appointing Allen but they did not heed her advice.
Morris also notes her first reversal of the board’s selection of Allen is pending litigation. A majority of the board voted to appeal Morris’s first rejection of Allen moments after she announced her decision.
She is advising the board advertise for the position and review applications. The board voted to reopen the search for a superintendent in May.
Interim Superintendent Robert Mahon, who gave notice of his intent to leave the district come July 31, has indicated he will stay in the position until a suitable replacement can be found.
Below is the full text of the letter, verbatim:
To: Asbury Park Board of Education
From: Ms. Carole Morris, State Monitor
Date: July 29, 2014
Re: Interim Superintendent/Superintendent Position
In accordance with N.J.S.A. 18A:7A-55(b), the State Monitor is given the responsibility to oversee all district staffing, including the ability to hire, promote, and terminate employees. The statute grants the State Monitor the authority to override a chief school administrator’s action and a vote by the board of education on any of the matters set forth in this subsection, except that all actions of the State Monitor shall be subject to the education, labor and employment laws and regulations, including the “New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act,” P.L. 1941, c.100 (C.34:13A-1 et seq.) and collective bargaining agreements entered into by the school district.
During the July 10, 2014 Board of Education meeting, I notified the Board its resolution to hire a candidate for Interim Superintendent was being taken under advisement.
I have reviewed documents, meeting minutes and files related to the search and appointment of a candidate for Interim Superintendent by the Asbury Park Board of Education, and I have determined to override the decision of the Board of Education to select Gregory Allen as its Interim Superintendent of Schools.
My decision to override the selection of Gregory Allen is supported by the following findings:
- The Commissioner and State Monitor outlined the proper procedures to follow to provide for an open, fair review of candidates. These procedures were not followed.
- A previous reversal of the Board’s candidate is the subject of litigation by the Asbury Park Board of Education.
- REDACTED
- The selection of our Interim Superintendent was not listed on the Board of Education agenda. Four members of the Board of Education were completely unaware of this plan.
- This resolution did not go to the County Superintendent of Schools for contract approval prior to the action. 18A:7-8, 23A.3.1
- Current background checks were not performed.
- The Board of Education was advised in executive session by the State Monitor, not to proceed with this decision. The Board of Education attorney also reviewed the best practices procedures with the Board. The monitor reminded the Board of Education the Commissioner had personally outlined best practices he expected them to follow; all of this was ignored.
The selection of the Superintendent/Interim Superintendent is one of the most critical decisions a Board of Education is charged with. The Asbury Park School District has unique and specific circumstances related to low performance, very high costs per pupil and has been assigned a State Monitor for several years. Given the substantial concerns about the process itself, and the qualifications of Mr. Allen, under the authority granted to me by the Commissioner of Education, I am overturning all actions taken to appoint Mr. Gregory Allen for Interim Superintendent of the Asbury Park School District. I am directing the Asbury Park Board of Education to advertise and review applications.
pc: Mr. David Hespe, Acting Commissioner of Education
Mr. Joseph Passiment, Executive County Superintendent
Mr. Glenn Forney, Director of Budget & State Monitors
Mr. Robert Mahon, Interim Superintendent
Mr. Geoffrey Hastings, Business Administrator
Mr. Alan Schnirman, Board Attorney
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