Letter to the Editor About Ken Rota Firing: 'This reckless decision will impact the future of the Paramus Public Schools.'

Dear Editor,

Please see my letter addressed to Steve Cea, business administrator and board secretary of Paramus Public Schools:

I was stunned and extremely disappointed by the Board of Education’s (premature) decision not to renew Mr. Rota’s contract in June.

As PTA President of Midland School, I have had the privilege to work with Mr. Rota and I feel that he is a “down to earth”, approachable, knowledgeable and fair administrator who clearly has the best interest and success of ALL of our students at heart.

Over the past two and a half years, Mr. Rota has completely immersed himself in the Paramus Community. It has not gone unnoticed that in addition to his professional responsibilities, he volunteers in our community by serving as a board member on the Children’s Health Foundation, the Greater Paramus Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation, the Rotary Club and the Stigma Free Task Force. Isn’t this the type of person that the Board of Education wants to lead our district’s administrators, teachers and students?

If the success of our Paramus students is a priority than why would the Board choose not to retain the individual who has reached 4 out of 5 merit goals, increased test scores and school rankings? I think most would agree that good, strong schools, schools that really excel, have a leader that sets the stage. It is my opinion that this was a hasty and careless act. The Board of Education has acted irresponsibly, and it is our children who will pay the price! In 2012, N.J. Monthly Magazine ranked the Paramus School District at #111 and just 2 years later in 2014, our District had increased to #57. We want to see this trend continue!

Our students and our teachers deserve consistency. This reckless decision will impact the future of the Paramus Public Schools. A school district can’t succeed through multiple regime changes. It unsettles the teachers, unsettles the curriculum and ultimately unsettles the students. Additionally, our quick turn over of superintendents and administrators is quite concerning. How does our Board of Education expect to attract solid teachers and leaders with this type of reputation? Who is going to take our school district seriously?

There is also the question of why the Board President chose to initiate this vote in December prior to the installation of the new administration in January. I find it a bit shocking to see that with the exception of one, the board members who voted not to renew Mr. Rota’s contact do NOT have students in the school district however, the 4 Board Members who were opposed to the letting go of Mr. Rota have MULTIPLE students currently in the Paramus Schools. Furthermore, I would sincerely hope that the votes to terminate Coach Jon Morissette do not line up with the votes not to renew Mr. Rota’s contract, as has been suggested by many. Such a scenario would be far too scandalous for our Paramus Community!

I am urging the new Board President and the Board of Education to do the right thing and reconsider the vote to renew Mr. Rota’s contract in June!

Sincerely,

Kristen Rohdieck