Marlboro Parents Demand Answers from Schools Superintendent, BOE

Marlboro, January 24, 2021

Embattled Marlboro Township schools superintendent Dr. Eric Hibbs--the highest paid government employee in Marlboro Township--is seeking a new employment contract. The terms of the new contract have yet to be disclosed. According to the Marlboro Board of Education website, "The proposed new contract will be posted on the District's website on or about the time when the meeting agenda is posted. The Board will seek community input before it votes that evening to approve the new contract."

Mr. Hibbs' current contract does not expire until June of 2022. However, a clause in his contract permits its re-opening--especially in terms of compensation-- that is, if any changes occur to state law permitting higher compensation. That change occurred on July 19, 2019, when Governor Murphy did away with former Governor Christie's salary caps imposed in 2011. Christie's caps was an attempt to curb runaway superintendent salaries along with other perks unsustainable to the taxpayers.

In a letter dated January 6, 2021, Mr. Vincent Caravello, business administrator and board secretary, announced that on February 16th, the Marlboro Board of Education will hold a public hearing (via Zoom), on a proposed new employment contract for Superintendent Hibbs. Further announcing "...The Board will seek community input before it votes to approve the new contract."

Does community input matter? Is the Board going to take the concerns of the taxpayers to heart? It seems a pre-determination has already been made to award Mr. Hibbs a new contract.

Board president, Ms. Robyn Wolfe, has made it known that discussions have taken place regarding Mr. Hibbs' situation, and has expressed in e-mails, that the Board has the "utmost confidence" in him.

Compounding the woes of Dr. Hibbs, is a pending ethics violations filed by a former Board member. The former board member felt that Mr. Hibbs' actions as a sitting school superintendent conflicted with his private business matters, and questions the hiring of a special education director, whose qualifications and hiring was suspect. These actions are perceived to have violated the public's trust and confidence in Mr. Hibbs. The superintendent during a virtual Board of Education meeting lashed out at the former board member as having "an axe to grind," and having a personal agenda. Those matters are still pending before the Office of Administrative Law.

And lastly--and most serious. A Covid-19 outbreak among school employees has initiated a delay for a planned January 19th hybrid model. This outbreak--or event, according to Dr. Hibbs, was reported to him the day before the proposed opening--requiring him to postpone the opening to February 1st.

Dr. Hibbs offered sketchy if no details, other than stating it was a "single event." Did that single event require the closure of every school in the district? If so, why? Such uncertainty prompted many Marlboro school district parents--along with their children--to brave the cold on January 23, at the entrance of the Municipal Complex, showing their concerns with the present situation.

Other districts adjacent to Marlboro, such as the Freehold Regional High School District, Manalapan, Holmdel, and private schools offer in-school education, or a combination of hybrid (virtual) models. Why can't Marlboro do the same?

It is now time for the superintendent to be honest with specific details, as to what really happened, while ensuring the privacy of district employees.

If Mr. Hibbs, parents and taxpayers are unhappy with the present situation, perhaps it's time the taxpayers of Marlboro and Mr. Hibbs mutually part ways.

This town and school district--once renowned for its educational achievements-- certainly needs to go on a different and immediate trajectory other than its present course.

This is the opinion of the MonmouthWatchdog.
---MonmouthWatchdog@Gmail.com