Letter: 'Due Diligence' Required on Super Search

To the Editor:

I, Thomas Giamanco, am a trustee on the Wyckoff Board of Education serving in the sixth year of my second elected term of office. I read the prepared statement below to the public at the June 7, 2010, public meeting. While my statement will be a part of the official minutes of the board for that meeting, the statement is not authorized by nor written on behalf of the board. This is an accurate copy of my public statement, and any information contained therein is not confidential, and I ensure that this action does not compromise the board.

It is important to note that this statement was composed before the acting superintendent submitted an application seeking the position of interim superintendent; said application being submitted and received at or just prior to the public meeting and announced to the public and board members by the board president for the first time.

Public Statement:

"The trustees of the Board of Education make a publicly sworn solemn oath of office regarding the duties and responsibilities as a trustee to the entire Wyckoff community.

We are entrusted to work hard and diligently to ensure our children receive the best education affordable while seeking the best educational talent available to accomplish this goal.

Arguably the single most important duty a board has is to appoint the best qualified candidate for superintendent. It is not a duty that should be taken lightly without carefully delineating the qualifications the district needs in a super and then seeking out those candidates that best exemplify the district's needs.

Once potential candidates make their desire to be appointed known, it is up to the board  to review all candidates to ensure the best fit within the district. The candidate review process  is the most effective means to achieve the desired result. No one can predict with absolute certainty which candidate that will be. 

The due diligence of the board is an ongoing necessary process. Failure to properly review any aspect of the district's operations, financial or educational, can cause near catastrophic consequences. The district has a budget two times the size of the operating budget for Wyckoff Township. It is the largest employer in town.

Ten years ago complacency and the lack of due diligence allowed a board administrator to embezzle $2.5 million from the district. Nobody knew of this monstrous  scheme until the IRS raided the BOE offices and seized numerous records.

Since then, this board, this district, has learned never to become complacent, never to take things for granted, but to always practice due diligence. 

Now the Finance Committee members review every check that is issued for this district.

In the same way the board oversees finance, it is incumbent upon this board to seek out and review each and every candidate's curriculum vitae, interview prospective candidates and ask pertinent questions regarding each candidate's vision of the district's goals in education and finance as we try to navigate through tough economic times and ever-changing educational demands.

No governing body of elected officials can ever afford to become complacent in their appointment of people  entrusted to perform the varied duties vital to all citizens. "

With the greatest respect for all citizens, I remain very truly yours,

Thomas Giamanco

Wyckoff