See, this has been my point all along. There is no difference between the "reformers" and those who came before them. The fact the Zimmer campaigned for these folks and now sticks her nose into board business just proves that this is the same circus but with different clowns. It's obvious that the board president was withholding the truth when she spoke about the route the board would take to resolve the matter while now admitting that the letter was out there.
This is a shameful abuse of power and should be seen as such by those who thought they were getting something different.

Sullivan may not have voted in favor of legal action against the state but she did vote in favor of Toback as the new superintendent (9-0 vote). If the Mayor's relationship with Christie helps in securing Toback's contract I would think Sullivan who supports Toback would be pleased. How is the Mayor "pulling the strings" of the school board and "barging in" if she's supporting the unanimous board vote in favor of Toback? Sullivan's outrage has more to do with her personal animus towards the Mayor and the Kids First majority who ironically helped to elect Sullivan in the 1st place.

Oh please, if any of the former mayors did this you'd be crying like a baby. City Hall has no business getting involved in school board business...at least that used to be the platform of KF. I suppose when you're in power different rules apply. I'm not so sure it's a bad thing for her honor to get involved, it just runs contrary to the campaign rhetoric that got the KF team elected. If they were running as part of a power grab, they should have said so all along.
The really funny part here is, assuming that the article is correct, the mayor claims to support the governors "toolkit", but not in this case. Let Hoboken pay above the cap, just make everyone else live by his crazy rules.

You mean she's supporting her puppets? Isn't that what you would have called it in previous administrations?

"crazy rules"? what rules? are there any rules anymore? what law? what regulations?

entire Board supports this guy yet there is a hold up. why? based on what?

even when people agree there seems to find a way to disagree.

Hey, don't ask me, she's the one running around being his poster child.

good point made about dawn supporting her KF bffl...board friends for life....(of the contracts)

YOu want to know what I stand for? I stand for open, honest, and transparent government. I voted for KF three years in a row. I thought they would be different. But in reality they turned out to be closed minded, unproductive and non-transparent. I'm not about to rehash all of the old arguments, but rather than asking me what I'm for, ask KF what they are for. It certainly isn't transparency and independence.

wow. so angry and disappointed. Terrible that you would hate them so much that you would be willing to give up what you yourself claim to believe in because of this anger. Yet, as I have said before, it sounds more ax grindy to me.

In an earlier story, Andrew asked Markle if the board had considered bringing in Dawn and she said the board had not considered such a move. Rather, she expressed confidence in Gagliardi and reiterated a reluctance to draw other people into the standoff.
"Sometimes there are too many hands in the pot," she said.

Today she says "Everyone knows she has a relationship with (Christie), and I would think that it would help," Markle said of the letter.

Markle makes it up as she goes along (even the mixed up metaphors of hands in pots). She might as well say, I was against going to Dawn until I was in favor of going to Dawn. If you tell the truth Rosie, you don't have to worry about being caught in a big fat lie.

Kids First transparent? Hardly. Sullivan is the only one saying that the figures need to be out there for open debate. Minutillo practically confirms that they are over the cap by saying she doesn't want the figure out there in case they have to go back and renegotiate. Why would they have to go back to negotiate if they are at the cap? And Rhodes-Kearns says she doesn't even know what the salary is. I bet Dawn knows!

You are making a great leap in logic and spreading more lies and misinformation. It was clear from the board meeting that the vote was whether or not to HIRE Toback. They all said nice things about him and it passed 9-0.

There was no discussion about the terms of the contract. They didn't debate it at all in public. It could be 5-4 for all we know. Obviously there is tension between Sullivan who wants the terms to be made public and Minutillo, who wants it all hush hush. That makes me speculate that Sullivan wants to cap his salary at $155,,000 and Minutillo wants to pay the same as Romano was going to get == $190,000. And the state people can't decide whether to impose Christie's cap before Feb. 7. That's the way I see it.

Believe me John Smith, I have no ax to grind. I realize how hard that might be to believe. Some of us still have our ideals intact and get angry when we're betrayed. That's it. That's where my disappointment lies.
If the mayor knows the details of the contract, someone has major ethics issues. Board members who refuse to divulge the details of the contract cannot selectively release info to a select few. If that's what has happened, someone needs to be held responsible.

it is hard to believe. your language in so many other posts contradicts that.

How do you make the leap from a letter of support to an ethical violation? If info was shared, I agree with you, someone should be held responsible. Thats a big if.

a leap one would make if they were grinding an ax.

"When asked to clarify her statement, Markle admitted to having been aware of the letter, but said that, to her knowledge, no one from the Board sought intervention from the mayor."

Pants on fire. How can we believe anything this woman says anymore?

Perhaps it was simply a memory lapse. Reformers don't lie, do they?

Don't let the mayor get away with a quiet, dignified effort to resolve this matter on behalf of Hoboken. You have to find a way to turn that letter into pure evil.

Remember, Mayor Zimmer endorsed Kids First and didn't check with Maureen Sullivan first. Who does she think she is anyway?

Look, I have another check here for $5,700. That should motivate some venom with real results.

Don't let Zimmer get away with trying to do something good. Make her pay!

Just curious - have any of you actually read the mayor's letter that's attached to the story? I just did and frankly it seems like Lasmuchachas, out of control and enough have never actually read it. If you haven't read it, please do because it may make you rethink some of the over the top assertions you've made here. A question the three of you: Do you want Tobak's contract to be approved or not? If you do, how could Zimmer's letter that seems to do nothing but restate the Board's publicly stated position do anything but help? How is supporting the school board's clearly stated positions interfering with the Board? She's not telling the Board what to do (which would be interfering) she's supporting what the Board has done which is something she has a right to do not only as mayor but as a regular citizen. Does the mayor have less of a right to express an opinion than Lane bejardi or Perry Belfiore? Can you explain why you think its an abuse of the mayor's power to write a letter supporting the unanimous position of the board? If you don't want it approved why do you disagree with the Board's unanimous decision to hire him?

I read the letter and thanks, but I don't need your interpretation. Perhaps you should read my comments again.
My concern is about the process. Yes, process. The word used over and over again by this administration since they took control. My questions have to do with whether or not any board member shared information with the mayor that has not been publicly released. So far all discussions regarding the contract have been held behind closed doors, with the public being shut out. I've been told repeatedly that closed session information is strictly confidential and any violation of that confidence would be an ethics violation. My question then, remains: Has any board member discussed the closed session content with the mayor? If so, who, what and where? The first question involves a simple yes or no answer and the second requires details. I'm not looking for anyone to tell me the details of the contract. We already know that they won't reveal such to the people who will be paying the tab. I simple want to know if there was a selective breach of confidentiality.

Okay if you must put Sullivan under oath, just don't make her take sodium pentathol then we should be okay.

Otherwise all kinds of ethics problems could surface and it may lead back to me. Can't have that.

I'm not going to apologize for asking a question. I'd like to know the answer. If I'm barking up the wrong tree, that's great. If I'm not, I'd like to know. As a taxpayer I'm entitled to answers. Abuse me as much as you want, but I have valid questions and you don't have any answers. So, let a board member respond and not a Zimmer cheerleader.

geez, get over yourself. no one is "abusing" you. What a victim. I think you have been first poster on every thread relating to this topic and it almost always starts out with something like ..."hey kool aid drinkers"

There may not be anything of note in that generic letter of support for the BoE, but we need to politicize it and deem it evil anyway and pronto. Let's say it will lead to starving children, taxing and spending, and is part of a monstrous conspiracy. See my Mason411 minion and he'll string a few whoppers together.

I gave you $5700 already. All you have to do is come up with a lie or two and repeat it over and over. How hard is that?

guess so OOC. Of course anyone not a "kool aid" drinker is abusing you. whatever works for you.

Anyone else see a pattern here? It goes as follows:
A) KF gets caught being anything but open, transparent, competent, etc...
B) Bloggers/KF supporters put out pithy statements belittling the source of the initial report or ad hominem attacks on anyone who criticizes KF
C) Said controversy recedes, and KF wins points among its committed followers for standing up to the forces "assailing them".

Mayor Zimmer, as a citizen, is of course free to write a letter to a public official. But, as a Mayor- such an official letter requesting a specific intervention, without official Board involvement, consent, and approval is a deliberate over-reach. Board of Education members are trustees of the State- they are distinct and independent of the City Government by statue and law. Zimmer's intentions may be as pure as a fresh forest rain, that is not the issue. The issue is, did she speak to a KF/Hoboken BoE member(s) about the "confidential" details of the Toback contract? And, if so, to who? and what was discussed? There are potential ethical violations here. My guess is KF will ultimately retreat/flip-flop and say the details of the contract were not confidential after all. Either way, it would be appropriate for the Board minority or the public to push on some of these questions for the record at the next BoE meeting. It's not going to be settled on a blog.

Kudos to Hoboken Patch for some excellent coverage of this story-

Greenshirts never lie. They just get confused.

My gosh, you get so defensive. All I'm asking is what Ms. Mayor knows, is it more than the general public has been told , and if so, who told her ,and finally when did the board vote to make the closed session information available to the mayor. Seems pretty clear. All someone has to do is tell me that the mayor had no discussions with any board members regarding the specifics of the contract and we'll be done with this subject.

Again, wouldn't you think the mayor would ask for details of the contract prior to writing the letter? After all, she's Christie's poster child for his "tool kit". Suppose the board negotiated a salary far exceeding the cap. Don't you think that would put her honor in an tough spot?

Again you miss my point. I'm simply trying to find out if there was any breach of confidentiality. Pure and simple,

I think everyone understands your point and that's the root of your problem. The mayor's letter reflects no knowledge of any confidential information. It references nothing she couldn't have learned reading Patch and she expressly says that she is not privy to the details of the negotiations. Yet you ask over and over where she got the confidential information that there is no reason to think she has. This is a transparent and frankly pretty pathetic ploy reflecting your obvious fear that the mayor's letter may make it more likely that the contract will be approved. I hope for the sake of our children that your fears are justified. Now why would you fear the approval of a contract everyone on the school board supported? Are you perhaps putting your wish to see KF embarrased ahead of the interests of the children in our schools? Shame on you.

You couldn't be more wrong. I would be very pleased to see the contract issue settled and for the children to have a new leader. From what I have heard and read, I think Dr. Toback will be an asset to the children. I have made a big deal out of this because I fear that KF is doing exactly what they campaigned against and that is running things by the city hall crowd. All the signs are there so I would feel much better if a board member said that my fears are unfounded. Again, it's really that simple and I think it's terrible how you look for sinister motives behind every posting that questions the purity of the so-called reformers in this town.

The mayor's letter is outrageous. It's a travesty. It's a crying shame. It's a travesty. See that's how you do it. Keep it simple like Tim Occhipinti.

You saw how he got rewarded when he follows instructions. If you want more campaign loot follow instructions!

If I'm going to get my hands on that mayoral seat, my best, maybe only shot is to overthrow the mayor. Mason411 ain't going to get it done for me and this insipid double talk about a stupid letter ain't going to get it done either.

Even my pal Mikie Squared knows how to do this better than you political operatives here.
Like on the waterfront issues, "What did the mayor know and when did she know it?"

How hard is that? Just throw out one conspiratorial innuendo and keep repeating it. The double talk is just confusing everyone. No one can follow this convoluted thinking. Patch posted the whole letter. You can't build a conspiracy around that.

I'll never become mayor if you people keep fouling this up. Geez.

Since you have decided to read my previous posts and you question my motives, let me sum them up for you. As you probably read, I was an avid supporter of KF and voted for their candidates. However, since they took control of the board I have been bothered by their actions.
A) They actively sought and received support from the mayor.
B) Allowed the mayor to post fliers for campaign fund raisers.
C) Cancelled programs that directly benefited students. (Saturday U, for one)
D) Haven't been able to hire a permanent leader in over 16 months.
E) Withheld information regarding Dr. Romano until after the board election.
F) Refused to have a forum for the finalists in the current superintendent search.
G) Have been spending money like water on legal fees all because they were dragging their feet with the search.

I could go on and on, but you get my drift. Am I a disappointed former supporter? Absolutely.

@Outofcontrol- Like you, since KF took control of the board I have been bothered by their actions as well:

H) Cancelled Adult Education in the middle of the biggest recession in recent history
I) Failed to implement the new curriculum and corresponding mandated district assessments
J) Introduction of "live agenda items" to Board of Education meetings
K) Posted a public poll concerning superintendent search and never shared results or articulated how such results factored into decision process
L) Extended contracts for interim Chief School Administrator, interim Assistant Superintendent, interim School Business Administrator 1 week before (April 13, 2010) Board of Education elections (April 20, 2010) even though existing contracts were valid until August, 2010.

Yes, everyone's disappointed Mayor Zimmer didn't obtain approval from Maureen Sullivan on a endorsement or writing a letter supporting the BoE.

It's my endorsement that really counts. It comes with M-O-N-E-Y!

As I said, whiteshirt, I could go on and on. Thanks for the pick up! Now sit back and wait for the operatives to steer the conversation away.

What I find to be particularly amusing is that I think I have attended one fundraiser in my life and it was the year Ms. Sullivan ran for the board with Kids First. If I'm not mistaken, Ms. Mayor (then Ms. Councilwoman) was all smiles and full of delight supporting Ms. Sullivan. I guess when you disagree with the powers that be you end up being cast aside and mocked. I've heard stories about how Hoboken politics worked in the past. Seems like the same old same old.

Don't get me wrong, I'm no fan of Ms. Sullivan...She's just another example of Kids First poor judgement.

Shep, notice how wrong you are.

@shep, Outofcontrol, hullabaloo, johnsmith, Bet Mazin, Lasmuchachas, randyrandy, Scot Wilk (wherever you are), others-- -Please, let's stick with the list--- is any statement below factually wrong concerning Kids First?

A) They actively sought and received support from the Mayor Zimmer.
B) Allowed Mayor Zimmer to post fliers for campaign fund raisers.
C) Cancelled programs that directly benefited students. (Saturday U, for one)
D) Haven't been able to hire a permanent leader in over 16 months.
E) Withheld information regarding Dr. Romano until after the board election.
F) Refused to have a forum for the finalists in the current superintendent search.
G) Have been spending money liberally on legal fees all because they were dragging their feet with the search.
H) Cancelled Adult Education in the middle of the most severe recession in recent history
I) Failed to implement the new curriculum and corresponding mandated district assessments
J) Introduction of "live agenda items" to Board of Education meetings (items not publicly posted)
K) Posted a public poll concerning superintendent search and never shared results or articulated how such results factored into decision process
L) Extended contracts for interim Chief School Administrator, interim Assistant Superintendent, interim School Business Administrator 1 week before (April 13, 2010) Board of Education elections (April 20, 2010) even though existing contracts were valid until August, 2010.

shep, Dude: Interim **HIMSELF** said that "curriculum was not addressed last year"-- but in your KFspinworld it was, right? ;-)
Zimmer took active political role in BoE elections; AP not in the high school; all 8th graders do not have algebra; 548 days and counting...; "live agenda items" was used to try and pass Romano in the spring--for **SUPERINTENDENT**; Adult Ed- typing, computer skills, interview skills---not just bball dude; l- handcuffing the upcoming board with hires---trying to rush it through 4 months before contracts expired and a week before the election? Not legit dude- not legit. Not open and transparent.

OK- who's next? Which of the list below are factually wrong about KF???

A) They actively sought and received support from the Mayor Zimmer.
B) Allowed Mayor Zimmer to post fliers for campaign fund raisers.
C) Cancelled programs that directly benefited students. (Saturday U, for one)
D) Haven't been able to hire a permanent leader in over 16 months.
E) Withheld information regarding Dr. Romano until after the board election.
F) Refused to have a forum for the finalists in the current superintendent search.
G) Have been spending money liberally on legal fees all because they were dragging their feet with the search.
H) Cancelled Adult Education in the middle of the most severe recession in recent history
I) Failed to implement the new curriculum and corresponding mandated district assessments
J) Introduction of "live agenda items" to Board of Education meetings (items not publicly posted)
K) Posted a public poll concerning superintendent search and never shared results or articulated how such results factored into decision process
L) Extended contracts for interim Chief School Administrator, interim Assistant Superintendent, interim School Business Administrator 1 week before (April 13, 2010) Board of Education elections (April 20, 2010) even though existing contracts were valid until August, 2010.

I remember how Kids First used to throw tantrums before they became the majority if anything was added to the agenda after they received it. Yes, that was then and this is now. Read their own campaign literature and you'll see why some of us are so disappointed.
There were at least two finalists prior to the last board meeting, so please stop pretending that Dr. Toback fell from the sky and was the only one the board wanted. If you think legal fees went down, check the numbers. It can't be possible that legal fees haven't gone up in the past year. Shep wants us to believe that all is well with KF.

"throw tantruns". You got that from "not attending meetings and piecing it together from the blogs" ?

As I said before, your language indicates greater interest and greater involvement than casual. Seems you, whiteshirt and Scott Wilk all must read the same blog. One of them jsut posted it above.

Which brings me back to my previous point. Even when there are things to agree on some always find reasons not too.

You can tell you're not a mom, John. Spend a few days in the park and you get the play by play of either city council meetings or board meetings. I remember how the other moms would talk about how last minute things would be pushed through without notice. All of that was supposed to stop when the majority changed hands.

Over 80 posts and we still don't know if anyone from the board discussed the contract with the mayor before she sent a letter to the governor.

Now over 90 posts and still no answer.

Start with guilt and then presume murder. C'mon step it up already. I want that chair.
The Hoboken Journal did a nice spread today.

http://thehobokenjournal.blogspot.com/

Hey Bet Mazin may have not done anything positive and has obstructed others in her years on the City Council but she just spent a few grand of her husband's money on giving away potted plants to get people to like her now that she faces the 2nd Ward voters in the spring.

@shep-

it's understandable that some parents are concerned with the lowered level of reading skills but the increase in literacy skills, as well as self regulated strategies will pay larger dividends in the long run. It's critical that the early grade teachers keep pushing on metacognitive strategies and, when needed, can introduce simpler, phonetic awarenes regarding decoding skills- much more difficult teaching self regulation although both are needed. From here out--- the critical aspect will no longer be Tools of the Mind curriculum (as that is only PreK-K) but to continue the pushing of the more challenging curriculum (this is where LitLife should start playing a role)-- as her it spoken about on the playgrounds.

Gee, I wonder who introduced Lit Life and Tools of the Mind to the district. Was it a KF initiative?

100 posts and still no answer as to what the mayor knew and who told her.

Imho, Dawn makes it clear in her letter that she did indeed know that the board of ed is going over the cap in its contract with Toback. Or maybe she's smart enough to figure out that this board would have no interest in staying under Christie's cap?

In the final paragraph she writes: "I understand the need to implement a cap on salaries BUT (my emphasis) respectfully request that consideration be given to those districts such as Hoboken that have been put into an untenable situation where they may be left without a superintendent."

BUT clearly indicates (if you speak English as a first language) that you are negating the first half of your sentence. If you weren't making a pitch to go over the cap, you would put an AND there instead.

Lasmuchachas - you can't possibly be as insane as your posts make you appear. The mayor explicitly says in her letter that she is not privy to any negotiations. Apparently even though you appear to speak english as a first language, you are unable to understand this sentence. I'm guessing you don't make your living as a lawyer because if you did your clients would all be in jail and you'd be trying to support your family by standing in the street with a cup. You could probably make a living as a comedian though, until people realized you actually serious and stopped laughing.

green, when all your clients desert you I hope you don't plan to make a living at shaking a can for cash. Because I hear that Dawn is going to charge vagrants a $25 usage fee. the good news is that your kids will be able to play soccer for free.

Lasmuchachas - I directly addressed your point to the extent you have one. If you're trying to make a case that the Mayor considered the possibility that the compensation may exceed the cap and adressed that possibility in her letter - I think you're absolutely right. If that's your "point" then your "accusation" is that she's a smart lady who wrote a letter that made sense no matter what the compensation was. If so then I suspect she would proudly plead guilty to doing a good job on behalf of supporting a result that the School Board unanimously voted for. If you're trying to make a case that the sentence you cite proves the Mayor knew confidential information then you are truly an idiot.

I heard at the playground that the Attorney General for the State of New Jersey filed a motion with the judge on the case and disagrees with both the Board of Education and Mayor Zimmer that the town is in an "untenable situation" concerning the contract situation with Dr. Toback (both letters use the same wording--worth noting). Moreover, the Attorney General's office goes on to explain in its brief that Hoboken may and possibly should consider the hiring of Toback as an interim superintendent on or around Feb 1, 2011.

One of the mom's at the schoolyard suggested that someone from the Board at this point should consider contacting Dr. Toback's employees at his high school/district to see if they would be agreeable to releasing him sooner than the 60 day maximum requirement. Not an unrealistic thought.

So, did the mayor know the details or not? Can't anyone answer that simple question? Aren't we paying her spin doctors enough? Surely one of them should have time to answer that simple question. I'm sure they monitor these blogs. Isn't that why they get paid so well? Given the choice one good spin doctor with a huge salary increase is better than wasting money on silly things like public safety.But that's for another time. Can one of you zimmer loyalists please reach out for your hero and ask her if she knew anything about the negotiations before she sent that letter? Once we get the answer we can all await the next time the board president tells conflicting tales and we can then begin all this fun again.

So if anonymous bloggers start demanding to know whether the mayor drowned her cat you think she should waste her time answering them? Hopefully the Mayor and her staff are way too busy doing their jobs to worry about the insane ramblings of pathetic cabal that would rather see our children fail than see KF succeed. FYI - if you were trying to achieve maximum entertainment value you succeeded with the "I heard at the playground" presumably in 30 degree weather post.

Obviously you don't get out much/ Mom's are in the park in the cold too...are you for real? Take a look around. As for wanting to see KF fail, that's just not true. I had a lot of faith in them That being said, they have failed. They aren't transparent, they obviously mislead folks, and it seems they are clueless when it comes to picking a superintendent. 16 months? c'mon, even presidential campaigns don't last that long.

I heard on the playground that back when the friends and family crew ran the BOE they picked who was going to be hired before the position was even vacant....but that just might be a load of poopie :-)

@Hobbs/greenhaven-- not a rumor. The Attorney General of NJ stated in a letter to the judge that the town (Hoboken) is NOT in an "untenable situation" nor in an "emergency situation" concerning the contract situation with Dr. Toback. A position BOTH the mayor and Board assert.

To be clear---that's NOT the opinion of the mom's in the playground, nor is it rumor, nor is it the words of an anonymous blogger--- it is the written words, on the record, of the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey in rejecting the BEST argument of the mayor and the Board concerning this matter.

120 posts and still no answer as to what the mayor knew and which board member, if any, gave her the information. Simple question that requires a simple answer.

See my last post above. Of course the idea that you would demand an "answer" to your "question" from anonymous posters on a blog is pretty comical. Those of you who are paid or unpaid political hacks are just wasting time and money making yourselves and those you shill for look silly. And if some of you are actually board members you should speak up and make your silly charges transparently and in your own names at the next meeting, including your insulting references to the mayor. Perhaps those of you who are board members on both sides of the aisle will be truly transparent and disclose your various screen names publicly so the voters can evaluate your full record in the next election. Or is Nancy Pincus the only public official who should be held accountable for expressing opinions on a blog?

Names or no names...122 postings and STILL no answer.
We, the taxpayers, are paying lots of money for the mayor to have her PR shills answer questions like these. This is a governmental issue, so don't try to side step by blaming politics for everything...let one of her shills answer the question and we can move on.

Beth Mason could try more political grandstanding again in front of the Governor Christy like she did before, screw up all her facts and get scolded like a school girl .

That worked out well. ;-)

Both the Mayor's letter to the Governor and the Board's letter to the judge contain the term, "untenable situation" as well as identical arguments/justifications for the need of a ruling...and was sent on the same day, December 9, 2010. Given these similarities, is it that far fetched to think there may have been some coordination of efforts? And if so, seems very reasonable that to coordinate, you need to communicate.

Whiteshirt, what happened to LaneB?

Lane Bajardi, Hoboken411, Mason,Russo, Castellano, Giacchi often use the same exact words too.

Almost like the all figure out their dog and pony shows together or perhaps it is just coordinated by one of Mason's staff political consulting firms .

@hobbs/randyrandy-- There is no state sanctioned statute that formally separates the people and entities you mention from communicating with each other.

There IS a formal and legal separation of the duties of a NJ Board of Education from the City Municipality - specifically in this case, the Office of the Mayor and the Board of Education. The separation is intended to limit- as much as possible- the influence of city government on the process of education in any NJ town. Board of Education members are agents of the State of NJ---not Hoboken officials. This is not a trivial distinction nor is it an issue of semantics. I have too much respect for each of you to think you do not know differently.

If the Mayor coordinated efforts with select members of the Board or their representatives it is at minimum an ethics violation--

IMHO, I don't believe there is justification to make categorically inappropriate and erroneous comparisons to other dynamics playing out in the city concerning council members and blogs- it's unrelated in every sense of the word to this specific situation.

I guess I touched a nerve over at the Mason/Russo political spin machine !

When Mason/Russo starts talking about ethics everyone eyes start to roll.

A personal letter written on official City letterhead? Hmmm. By the way, I never met Mr. Russo, don't know Mr. Ochipinti and said hello to Ms. Mason twice. Keep barking and eventually you may come across the right tree.
Why can't these folks believe that KF is not doing what they promised and that there are some of us who are genuinely disappointed in them? Do I sound bitter? You bet I am. Do I sound angry, absolutely! Being deceived can do that to a person.

137 posts and we STILL don't know what the mayor knew and who on the board, if anyone, talked to her about the Toback contract.

@greenhaven- it's about the separation between municipal government and state supported education. Imagine if the vote wasn't unanimous by the Board. What if it was split? Or unanimous against? Do you think the ethics of the circumstance is situational and predicated primarily on agreement? Further, it was not a personal letter, as you indicate. Dawn Zimmer leveraged her 1) title, 2) her position, 3) the Office of the Mayor's letterhead and 4) it's reasonable to assume the letter came at taxpayer expense including time she spent writing it, time it was typed/word processed, equipment used for each, and expense of transmission and archiving of the letter. Am I being picayune and overly legalistic? --- that may be for more objective entities to decide. But--clearly, it was not a personal communication.

@Hobbs- you are brining up an irrelevant point concerning a) touching a nerve or b) non-relevant reference to other municipal politicians. Who, I may add, are also bound to the same expectations as the mayor and have seemingly respected that separation on this issue.

The ethics of this situation are codified by statute. There really is no spin going on here. I'm sincerely trying to stick to the issue at hand.

Privately pressuring school board members to vote a certain way could be seen as improper, though even that would violate no law or cannon of ethics. Claiming it is somehow unethical for the mayor to express an opinion, either personally or as Mayor, on school issues after a vote has taken place is not only incorrect, it is stupid. Repeating a made up proposition doesn't make it true - it just makes it stupider. Secondly, the ethics of any situation are based on the facts. Saying that the ethics are the same no matter what the facts are is also incorrect and stupid. Now if a school board member leaked confidential information from closed session to anyone not legally permitted to have that information, that would indeed be unethical. If, for example, Lasmuchchas is a school board member, his or her posts on here may well cross that ethical line, since he or she has all but said the contract exceeds the cap, something I suspected but did not know for sure before reading this thread.
You say the "ethics of this situation are covered by statute." This is yet another incorrect and stupid statement. Feel free to provide a citation with relevant quotations and a link to the full statute to which you are referring. The law making it a third degree felony to buy votes is covered by statute. The Mayor's speaking out on issues relevant to her constituents is not only not restricted by statute, is part of her responsibilities as mayor.

@greenhaven- I sincerely think it's problematic when city officials get involved with the functioning of a municipalities' schools- in any capacity. For instance, I'm not a fan of Bloomberg's model of mayoral control in NYC- but, I do like him and many things he has done for the city.

Here is the link to the Code of Ethics for NJ BoE Members-- I also cut/pasted a few that *may* apply in this situation pending ultimate details of what communication/coordination took place.

http://www.state.nj.us/education/ethics/coe.htm

e. I will recognize that authority rests with the board of education and will make no personal promises nor take any private action that may compromise the board. (this applies to any private conversations a KF member may have had with Dawn about the contract/appeal/motion).

f. I will refuse to surrender my independent judgment to special interest or partisan political groups or to use the schools for personal gain or for the gain of friends. (1st part of sentence- assuming there's no argument of partisan politics in Hoboken) ;-)

g. I will hold confidential all matters pertaining to the schools which, if disclosed, would needlessly injure individuals or the schools. In all other matters, I will provide accurate information and, in concert with my fellow board members, interpret to the staff the aspirations of the community for its school. (I suspect some KF members didn't communicate with other members of the Board).

Let's also keep in mind the words of Helen Hirsch in her letter to the Hoboken Reporter in April of this year:

"Dawn also reneged on her promise to remain apolitical and to function in the interest of all of Hoboken’s citizens rather than a few. This failure was, for me, crystallized in the brazenness with which she lobbied on behalf of one slate for the Board of Education. She is repeating the behavior of mayors before her, endorsing the status quo for political reasons. "

Unfortunate, that wilk ooc and whiteshirt are more comcerned with creating controversy than the hiring of a great leader for our schools.

RR and gh don't bother wasting your time- those 3 are all one in the same- he has a hard time keeping track of who he is. reread the 3 posters. Incidently Scott wilk was a one hit wonder- known mostly by musicphiles, like pertrosino. Petrosino runs 3-4 blogs of his own ontop of posting on other websites. . You will also notice he links to his website. After reading his website, you will note this man is one very unstable person- he is completely obsessed with taking down KF- somewhere around 50-60% of his posts are about KF even though he lives and works in Texas and hasn't worked for the district since Aug 09. Petrosino's HBOE Asst Supt. contract was not renewed. Later, he applied for the HBOE supt postion, which he obviously did not get. He is suing the BOE.

Who'd want to give up this contract?

" a little background on Dr. Petronsino's employment contract with the Hoboken BOE to give the readers an idea of why he would possibly be so fervent in defending the legacy of Jack Raslowsky. The contract is embedded below for your review but here as some highlights:

1) Dr. Petrosino's primary attention should be devoted to the district but acknowledges that he is a fully tenured professor employed by the University of Texas and may be required to complete outside duties from time to time. One day working notice was specified in the contract to give notice when these situations were to arise.
2) Salary $144,900 per annum.
3) Benefits Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision as per collective bargaining agreement.
4) 5 weeks vacation.
5) 15 sick days.
6) 3 personal days.
7) And finally the big loophole: Professional days in which to attend his obligations at the University of Texas. No limit of these days is specified and there is no provision in the contract to adjust salary if those days were to exceed a certain threshold. "

source: http://thehobokenjournal.blogspot.com/2010/01/hoboken-boe-fact-check-dr-petrosinos.html

Aside from woking for Texas U and working on the HOla project for 8 mos- here are the other things he was working on while we paid him $144k

Here is the link to Dr. Petrosino's bio page from the University of Texas:
http://www.edb.utexas.edu/education/faculty/view.php?ID_PK=68D67E87-B9AF-127F-617086C059AFF421&coedept=coe

Below is a story about a $12.5 million dollar grant Dr. Petrosino was involved in down in Texas. Note that the date of the article is September 23, 2008.
12.5 Million National Science Foundation Grant to Fund UTeachEngineering Program for Educators
September 23, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas -
.......Associate Professor Anthony Petrosino of the College of Education says the partnership uniquely combines the nationally recognized academic strengths of the College of Education, the College of Natural Sciences and the Cockrell School."The grant will allow researchers a real chance to advance our understanding of effective teacher preparation and development, while also making significant advances in addressing critical shortages of highly qualified professionals in science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related K-12 education," says Petrosino, a co-principal investigator.
To read the whole story clickhere:http://www.utexas.edu/news/2008/09/23/uteach_engineering/

source; http://thehobokenjournal.blogspot.com/2010/01/hoboken-boe-fact-check-dr-petrosinos.html

And speaking of Raslowski: does this send up any red flags?

Raslwoski's pay during his time at the HBOE:
2007-2008 $174,999.76 regular wages
+ 11,931.81 - unused vacation days

2008-2009 $182,000.00 regular wages
+ 12,657.15 - unused vacation days

2009-2010 $28,560.00 regular wages
+ 9,169.00 unused ? ? ? ? ? days

According to Burns and NJDOE BOEs, Supts collect their unused sick/vacation days upon retirement. The Supt cannot pay himself unused sick/vacation days, while employed.

Did the prior BOE approve this? If they didn't, is this embezzlement?

Incidently, Raslowski was a sitting BOE member when he was hired as Supt. He had to step down a meeting or 2 before he could be hired.

So typical. Throw some mud and hope everyone forgets the origin of this discussion. Now, shep, you seem very capable of researching for dirt, so...could you please call your friend the mayor and ask her what discussions she had regarding the Toback contract and who on the board gave her confidential information if indeed that happened.

Facts vs unfounded accusations based on your intimations of wrongdoing is "mud slinging?

still seems ax grindy to me.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE !

MERRY CHRISTMAS

HAPPY KWANZAA

A JOYOUS BOXING DAY

HAPPY NEW YEAR !

PEACE

I finally checked out that Hoboken Curriculum website. Has it really been 554 days since the superintendent search began? Time sure does fly. Perhaps at the stroke of midnight on New Years, the mayor can lower a new superintendent from the top of the Lackawanna clock tower. All of her minions can be doing the countdown while dressed in festive green shirts and blowing their own horns.
It would be a nice alternative for those of us who do want to journey to Times Square.

Peace! Enjoy the Holidays!

This just in from the school yard rumor mill.

The forces of evil are beating a dead horse to keep the whole Occhipint scandal off the front burner.

Happy happy joy joy !

Nice try Hobbs, but over 170 posts and we STILL don't know how much info the mayor has about the contract and which board member fed her the info. Can't have it both ways, my friend. If you want to claim the moral high ground in the 4th ward stuff, you're gonna have to find out if any ethics issues exist between your mayor and the boe.

Outofcontrol, it may suit you to assume that all bloggers work for the mayor or are close confidants, but you're wrong on both scores. I've spoken to her 3 or 4 times since 2007, and never for more than a minute or 2.

Holding bloggers responsible for the mayor or the mayor for bloggers is nonsense. But make it 171 if that makes your holiday brighter.

Gee, I was responding to Hobbs. I didn't know you were the official spokesperson for all bloggers. I'll try to remember that in the future. In the meantime, 171 posts and STILL no answer from the official municipal spinmeisters.

174 posts and STILL no answer. Feel free to keep track, info.

Don't forget to ask cab-drivers and make sure you add them to the totals. They all work for Zimmer too.

Whiteshirt, I don't think they like to share info. That would be...um...transparent.

AH!--- I thought we were all getting ready to wish each other happy holidays and take a break for awhile and be nice. But, then I realized that since the City of Hoboken doesn't celebrate Christmas anymore...Why should we?

So, to continue---Here is the link to the Code of Ethics for NJ BoE Members-- there were CLEARLY violations in letters e, f, and possibly g.
http://www.state.nj.us/education/ethics/coe.htm

@ outofcontrol 554 days and counting? Wow-- and the end of all that searching KF finds a 1 school rural district superintendent whose district *isn't renewing his contract and whose district ^didn't make AYP and whose district !sends less kids to college than HHS, and *who wants more $$$ than the Governor's cap? But, of course, is considered "great" by the spin doctors? Interesting.... Maybe Mayor Zimmer liked him? Or, maybe there's just general frustration by KF taking so long to find someone?

Shocking isn't it? And this is the "enlightened" bunch who were going to lead the district to reform!
Can you imagine the party the greenshirts would be having with this level of incompetence if someone other than KF had control of the board?

Seems as if shep got his/her panties twisted by something that was said and let out some info that nobody seems to know. I checked the other blogs and don't see anything about that Petrocini guy applying for the superintendents job. Seems to me that someone on the board has loose lips. Could it be the board pres. or the president-in-name-only? Now seems like the perfect time to ask again...
What did the mayor know when she wrote the letter and who on the board gave her the information?

It's interesting how KF bloggers like shep know and distribute HIGHLY confidential information (like Petrocino applying for the superintendent position) then BLAME Petrocino! Prior to shep's post there was no knowledge by ANYONE about this confidential information.

Alas... shep doesn't know ANY details about the Toback contract. Or admit there were ethical violations with select KF members discussing Tobacks contract with the Mayor. Although both the mayor and the board sent out letters ON THE SAME DAY and with the SAME LANGUAGE.

What did the mayor know when she wrote the letter and who on the board gave her the information?

Over 190 posts and we STILL don't know who gave the mayor confidential information.
I have a funny feeling that Shep knows...

Thank you Santa - people are paying attention to KF duplicity, the emptiness of KF campaign rhetoric and the pattern of blog attacks. One more item to consider:

The letter from Dawn to Christie was dated Dec. 9 and cc'd to the Hoboken Board of Ed, however two Board Members said that they had not recv'd the information: proof that even our elected representatives are left out of the loop if they are not in the KF political circle.
Transparency with the public one thing, but the lack of serious consideration of the minority view among decision makers is detrimental to good governance.

Does anyone know whether or not the board received an approval of the contract yet?