New schools boss facing divided board

Photo by Ron Leir

By Ron Leir

KEARNY –
The Board of Education has agreed on an interim superintendent to replace the departed Frank Digesere but not without some wrangling that may not bode well for future board deliberations.
The new temporary schools administrator is Ron Bolandi, who was hired June 20 at a special meeting by a vote of 5-0 after the four other members walked out following a stormy closed session.

On June 30, after the Hudson County superintendent of schools made some minor revisions to Bolandi’s contract, the full board voted 9-0 to ratify the hiring.
James Doran Jr., one of the four who boycotted the June 20 public meeting, said state law prevented him from disclosing the contents of the closed session but he commented that he and his colleagues were upset over the way the board leadership handled the interim’s selection process.
“We didn’t advertise for the position, and one hour of discussion (at the closed session) is not enough time to come up with a decision,” Doran said. “I felt this was forced down our throats . . . .  I felt our voices weren’t being heard.”

To read the full story, see this week’s issue of The Observer.

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