A hearing that could determine the fate of principal Allison McConnell's position in the school district will be held in public Tuesday night.
Traditionally such hearings, known as Donaldson hearings, are held in closed executive sessions. But Board of Education President Sharon Kight confirmed Tuesday morning that McConnell has requested her hearing be held in public.
The hearing will provide the public with a rare glimpse into how such proceedings are conducted.
According to the New Jersey School Boards Association, a Donaldson hearing is an "informal appearance before the board in order to convince the board to offer re-employment," usually after a superintendent of schools decides against offering tenure to an employee. In McConnell's case, however, the board voted to override Superintendent Walter Hrycenko's recommendation that McConnell be granted tenure as a principal. She already holds tenure as an assistant principal.
The hearings are normally conducted in a quasi-judicial setting, with McConnell having the right to be represented by an attorney and present witnesses to speak on her behalf, the NJSBA said. Witnesses do not have to be sworn in, however.
The hearing is named after a 1974 New Jersey Supreme Court case, Donaldson v. North Wildwood Board of Education.
State law says the board must come to a decision on an employee's fate within three days of the hearing.
Less than three weeks ago, at a regular board meeting, supporters of McConnell , waving homemade signs and speaking in favor of keeping McConnell in the principal's position during a public comment session.
Tuesday's meeting is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. in the Brick Township High School auditorium.
You are incorrect... they have to give a reason... but that reason could be vague, etc.. Just like the letter she got... she did not measure up to the excellence required... bla bla.. if it is arbitrary and caprious... etc... she can sue... in other words, were others granted and she not?? See the links I provided.
However, I do know... Brick schools are terrible... not just the buildings... but from an educational perspective. If scores improve... that makes the school district attractive... increases market demand for homes in Brick... improves home values. Senior citizens could careless about the value of their homes... they are going to live in their existing home until the die with the money going to their heirs.
How can you not keep a person in their job when they improved scores and ranking of their school versus their peers!!! Really... just sayin.
I was in this profession for 39 years. Vague is just that. Vague. They do not have to give a definitive anything. Is the lawyer going to be here tonight? BTV? I'm tired watching the April show. LOL
I don't know the lady... I have not kids in the district... I want to see scores improve so that drives demands for homes in Brick which in turn will increase home values. So, anyone who improves results like they did at Drum Pt. with her leadership.. I'm all for it!!!
the bottom line & most of all that needs to addressed is that our children are failing with common sense because the only concern is passing standard test to get more funding for the schools, however the grades are going down & the Adm. pays are going up, ... I know if I had poor or failling results ( or declining) I Def would NOT be getting raises & be lucky to still have a job.
Today was last day to file!
But in effect, she is getting demoted... and she performed her job well...
BOE doesn't know what she does day to day.. get a clue.. read above who teaches at Drum Pt... Wolf Jr. and Acropolis!!!
probably from some teacher who needs to be removed but can't due to tenure... BOE are idiots... but I wonder if true or they made up this anonymous letter. Perhaps it was Wolf Jr.!!!!
It is Wednesday morning but I wanted to put this where more people would see it. To all Brick residents: Please make it your business to watch this meeting when it airs on BTV. The meeting was only about an hour and a half. Pay particular attention to the reasons why 3 BOE members originally voted no. There may be "character" issues here but it is NOT Ms. McConnell's "character" that is flawed and being exposed. Look and listen.
Heard about this "fabricated" letter.. Did anyone produce this "letter"!!! lol The BOE needs to go.... I hear the former football coach asked for a hearing... he should make it public also. That was a great stategy to make it public!!!
Were you at the meeting last night? Did you her the 3 reasons that were given for a no vote? If they aren't vague how would you classify them? A. lame B. pathetic C. questionable D. a lie E, all of these
not there... i can only imagine... what a joke.. in the future, everyone should go public with their Donaldson hearing. but, I would say... E... All the above... I believe this letter was a fabrication. If someone got it... Super would have known and investigated... that is why I believe this letter is a fabrication... the BOE was called to the carpet and blinked!!!
If you follow my concerns it has more to do with the way some BOE members condescendingl speak to Mr. Hrycenko and towards one another. The hostility can be cut with a knife. I praised Mrs. Kight at the last meeting for extending the meeting for 2 hours so all the public could be heard. Please do not try to say this whole thing is not political. It began 3 years ago. The complaint that Mrs. Suter said she received should have been forwarded to the Principal or the Equity Officer. Why didn't she share the info with the rest of the Board? Waving some papers at a Donaldson hearing as if it were some "expose' " was ridiculous. I guess she will be bringing some more papers on Monday. Four people were denied tenure by the exact same vote. Coincidental? As far as Mrs. McConnell's restoration is concerned, the BOE had no choice! The genie had gotten out of the bottle. Mr. Cuppari's one sentence was all that had to be said. BOE stop the vendettas and negativity. It is counter-productive!