ReBel(sky) Update 1

The last RIH Board of Ed meeting seemed to put to bed the issue concerning the uproar over comments made by Board member Ira Belsky. Although at least one Board member left in what might be described as a “huff”, the issue has apparently been dropped and the Board is free to pursue pressing issues as the school year gets under way.

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The saga of RIH Board of Ed member Ira Belsky continues. Mr. Belsky made comments that, according to the Board minutes for the April 28th meeting, “expressed his evaluative comments of district operations by administration and the Board of Education.” This has led to a proposed resolution of censure by the Board.

Reportedly, Mr. Belsky expressed his opinion that Superintendent Saxton was not fully engaging the Board, and may have intentionally exercised administrative powers to limit the debate on contractual matters concerning his, and others, employment. He also offered criticism of both the Board and Superintendent Saxton with regard to an inclination to avoid accountability and failing to be proactive in providing a comparative analysis of the districts performance. The recent meeting of the Board of Ed introduced the proposed resolution to censure Mr. Belsky for violating the Board’s code of conduct. The issue is being postponed till September 9th.

Another item of interest which occurred at the April 28th meeting concerned a resolution, “that the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District Board of Education approves the renaming of the District Board of Education Administrative Office Building to the Paul J. Saxton Administration Building.” Mr. Belsky, along with Mr. Peterson, were the only two members to vote against the resolution. They both expressed the belief that the Board should develop a policy as to how it will handle requests to have a building, room, wing, etc. dedicated after a district employee. It was their argument that this policy could be implemented prior to the October 2008 retirement date of Superintendent Saxton. There was no mention as to whether there is a naming policy in general as many districts already have. Amongst many other reasons, these guidelines are often drafted to incorporate community involvement in the process, or to implement timetables that would require the passing of several years after service before bestowing the honor.

For those residents unfamiliar with the time-line, the April 28th meeting occurred shortly after the towns of Oakland and Franklin Lakes voted down the Regional HS budget. It was also a time that introduced newly elected members to the Board. So it may be coincidental that on the May 12th meeting Mr. Saxton invited Mrs. Cathy Sousa, a New Jersey School Boards Association field representative, to present an overview of the annual School Board Member Code of Ethics Training. Ms. Sousa explained the process of filing an ethics charge with the Board and advised the Board that only the Ethics Commission can determine if a violation has occurred.

The minutes of the following May 12th meeting also brought some constructive suggestions from Mr. Peterson who believed changes in the business format of meetings may encourage greater public involvement. Specifically, he suggested that residents be allowed to discuss non-agenda items during the beginning of a public meeting; as well as allowing the public to attend all Board meetings.

At the most recent meeting, supporters seeking to have the Board drop the whole matter far out numbered those who took issue with Mr. Belsky’s alleged insubordination to the Board’s codes or policies. One concern was that pursuing the matter will give the FLOW area residents the impression that the Board is above being criticized.