Does the BOE President Understand the Chain of Command?
Recently, it was suggested that our Board of Education (BOE) President, Heather G., believes that Superintendent VV writes his own goals without substantial involvement or guidance from the BOE. If true, this raises some serious questions about how the leadership of East Brunswick’s schools is functioning.
VV: The BOE’s Only Employee
To clarify, the superintendent is the only employee of the Board of Education. This means the BOE has a unique role in overseeing and guiding the work of the superintendent. Rather than the superintendent acting as a lone entity, the BOE is responsible for setting expectations, reviewing progress, and ensuring the superintendent’s goals align with the district’s overall mission.
If Heather G. is under the impression that VV is working without clear goals set or approved by the BOE, it’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the roles and responsibilities of both parties.
A Breakdown in the Chain of Command
The relationship between the BOE and the superintendent isn’t about autonomy for either party; it’s about collaboration. The BOE works to set the direction and priorities for the district, while the superintendent executes those plans. The superintendent is held accountable for achieving those goals, and the BOE evaluates his performance based on this framework.
For Heather G. to imply or suggest that the superintendent is working independently of the BOE’s oversight is a clear breakdown in the chain of command. It raises serious concerns about whether the leadership is functioning properly and whether the BOE president understands the importance of active involvement in setting the district’s course.
An Opportunity to Lead a Cultural Change
By misunderstanding or misrepresenting the relationship between the BOE and the superintendent, Heather G. may be missing an opportunity to collaborate with the new board members and lead a cultural shift within the district. As East Brunswick welcomes new perspectives, this is the perfect time for the BOE president to work alongside these new members to build a culture of transparency, cooperation, and shared accountability.
Why Does This Matter?
When the BOE isn’t involved in shaping the superintendent’s goals, there’s no clear accountability, and that’s a problem for everyone in the community. VV needs the guidance and support of the BOE to ensure that his actions align with the priorities of the district and the needs of the students, teachers, and families. Without that partnership, there’s a risk of misaligned priorities, poor decision-making, and lack of direction for the district.
In the end, transparency and collaboration are key to maintaining a healthy and effective leadership dynamic between the BOE and the superintendent. If Heather G. doesn’t fully understand how that relationship is supposed to work, it’s worth asking how well the BOE is truly serving the district. The residents of East Brunswick deserve better.
Systemic, Data-Informed
Model for Creating District Goals
Kelly Mitchell
