As the community gathers for tonight’s Board of Education meeting, two controversial policies demand our attention:
Policy 0174: Who Controls Your Tax Dollars?
Policy 0174 isn’t just about legal consultation procedures-it’s about who controls district finances and whether there’s proper oversight of expenditures that come directly from your pockets. While Board President Donna Carey has attempted to dismiss concerns with claims that “neighboring districts do it too,” she continues to avoid addressing the real issue:
💰 Why have legal expenditures associated with her personal actions totaled over $20,000?
Policy 5756: A Second Chance at Reasonable Governance
Also on tonight’s agenda is Policy 5756 regarding transgender students-the same policy that board members Donna Carey and Tony Alfano previously refused to either constructively modify or provide clear direction on. When this policy came up in 2023, they made its removal their “hill to die on” rather than supporting reasonable modifications that would address community concerns while still providing necessary guidance to staff.
The result? Administrators were left without clear direction, and an opportunity for sensible policy development was squandered.
The Pattern is Clear
Over the past few months, we’ve documented a concerning pattern:
- A Board President who was caught on her phone during student recognition ceremonies (and an OPRA request revealed it wasn’t board business she was handling)
- Misleading statements to fellow board members about legal consultations
- A troubling history of weaponizing ethics complaints against those who disagree
- Expanding unchecked authority rather than implementing transparency measures
- Avoiding direct questions about how taxpayer money is being spent
Tonight, these issues come to a head as Policy 0174 returns to the agenda.
What’s Really At Stake?
Your Money
Every dollar spent on unnecessary legal battles is a dollar not spent on our children’s education. Consider what $20,000 could have provided:
- Technology upgrades for multiple classrooms
- Additional tutoring support for struggling students
- Arts and extracurricular program enhancements
- Training and professional development for teachers
Instead, those resources were diverted to personal legal disputes that did nothing to advance student achievement.
Your School’s Governance
When policies are removed rather than improved, administrators-not elected officials-end up making the decisions. Without clear direction through policy, school staff are left to interpret requirements on their own, which can lead to inconsistent implementation and decisions that may not reflect community values.
Your Presence Matters
When community members don’t show up, decisions are made without public input. If you believe in:
- ✅ Fiscal responsibility in how your tax dollars are spent
- ✅ Transparency in board operations and decisions
- ✅ Putting students first instead of personal agendas
- ✅ Accountability for elected officials
Then your voice is needed tonight.
The Questions That Demand Answers
Here’s what needs to be asked:
On Policy 0174 (Legal Services):
- Why does Policy 0174 expand authority instead of adding oversight?
- How much has been spent on personal ethics complaints versus educational priorities?
- Will the board commit to receiving itemized legal expense reports before approving them?
- What safeguards will be implemented to prevent abuse of legal resources?
On Policy 5756 (Transgender Students):
- What specific guidance will administrators have if the policy is changed or removed?
- How will the board ensure consistent application of state/federal requirements without clear policy?
- Why not modify the policy with reasonable compromises rather than attempting to abolish it entirely?
- Will board leadership explain their previous refusal to support sensible modifications?
Details for Tonight’s Meeting
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Hardyston Middle School
Agenda: Available Here
Public comment is typically allowed at the beginning of the meeting. Arrive early to sign up to speak.
The Community is Watching
The decisions made tonight will send a clear message about whether this board values transparency and accountability-or whether it prefers to operate behind closed doors with minimal oversight.
Your children. Your schools. Your tax dollars. Your voice matters.
Will you be there?
Share this post with neighbors and friends who care about Hardyston’s schools. The more community members present, the stronger our message.