Fireside Chat : Questions from the Community | Part III

11. Were these positions posted?

a. No. And according to Dr. Gallon that was intentional, and if given the opportunity he “would do it again”.

12. When and how are board policies change under Dr. Gallon’s tenure, especially those pertaining to hiring personnel?

a. There is a Board Policy meeting the 1st Tuesday of every month lead by Christian Estevez at which time the recommended modifications are brought before the members, discussed and voted on.

b. As confirmed by Miss Logan-Leach during the 2/16 Board Meeting (see meeting minutes for specific) she shared that the process had been change in July of 2009 under the leadership of Dr. Gallon.

13. I feel all people elected to the Board should be required to go for training.

a. All Board Members are required to go through training and they have 12 months from the date they take office to complete the training per the New Jersey State Board Association.

14. The Current Board members have listened to staff at board meetings but they did not hear what staff was saying. They simply voted by rubber stamping what the Supt has recommended. What will you actually do as a new Board member, rubber stamp or vote for students and staff.

a. Rubber stamping is for card making and crafts; informed decision making will be the model in which my votes will be cast with the benefit always weighted towards what is best for Plainfield Public School Students.

15. As a board member what will you do to make sure employee’s rights are not violated and they are treated with respect and not taken advantage of by the administration?

a. To the extent that the Board is only able to implement policy, the surest way is to require that Union contracts being upheld and adhered to without deviation – although one would expect that by virtue of the fact that it is a “contract” that in and of itself obligates parties to adhere to the conditions therein. Tying the CSA’s yearly assessment to a metric regarding people skills and negotiation outcomes such as the ability to create opportunities for "win-win" outcomes would also provide an incentive to achieve agreement or a deterrent for potential abuse.