I have been reading about the Jackson Board of Education in the newspapers recently and I do not like what I am seeing. Some board members have lost focus on important issues such as academics, cost containment, solar power, diploma mills, bill validation, budget preparation, line item transfers, and preparing for the current school year. They do not need to take up any time pursuing the issue of a sore loser and his band of supporters.

Michael Hanlon and a small group of his supporters, on and off the board, are still upset about Mr. Hanlon's loss to Scott Sargent in the April election. Let's put this matter to rest: Mr. Sargent won, Mr. Hanlon lost; the board needs to focus on real issues.

From my understanding, the court has already decided on Mr. Sargent's case. I guess Mr. Hanlon and his small group of supporters did not agree with the court or the voters. Now they are trying to force Mr. Sargent off the board so his friends on the board can bring him (Hanlon) back, thus circumventing the election. As a parent, an American, a voter, and a taxpayer, this makes me livid.

Is there an ethical issue here to address? As to Mr. Sargent's actions, my read on the New Jersey School Boards Association's ethics act shows no violation.

If Mr. Hanlon disagrees, he can file an ethics complaint. Only this time, if Mr. Hanlon loses, perhaps he'll refund the board for the legal expenses. It's very easy to cry ethics when the legal cost does not come out of your pocket.

Last time Mr. Hanlon cried ethics violation, it cost the school district over $8,000 in legal fees to prove him wrong.

So what questions should people be asking?

First, does Mr. Hanlon or Mr. Sargent have any family members working in the school district?

Any close friends working there that the public should know about?

This answer may surprise you. Perhaps you can ask at the next board meeting.

Second, as to the information the residents at the microphone mentioned, where is the source of their comments? I don't recall seeing those published in the newspapers.

If true, isn't that type of information normally only available in the confidential police files? Do any of the people complaining or any board members have family or friends that would have access to that type of confidential information?

I believe Mr. Sargent is a good person and has good motivation for serving on the Board or Education. He has children in the district, pays taxes and listens to what people say.
Dan Gross
Jackson