Last night, the Hardyston Township Board of Education held a Special Closed Executive Session to interview law firms for the role of Board Legal Counsel. The meeting ended at approximately 11:00 PM, and no vote was taken.
While no final decision was made, the process still raised serious concerns about timing, transparency, and the lack of input from key stakeholders.
Attendance & Participation
One board member was absent, reportedly due to a previously scheduled vacation that could not be changed on such short notice.
Even more troubling, Superintendent Michael Ryder - the individual who works most directly with the board’s legal counsel - was not present, likely due to scheduled time off. Dr. Maffia, who oversees the district’s special education program and also depends heavily on legal guidance, was similarly not in attendance.
Whether these key individuals were not invited or simply unable to accommodate the five-day notice, the result is the same: the people most affected by this decision were not part of the discussion.
Why It Matters
Although a vote did not occur tonight, the meeting represents a missed opportunity to demonstrate collaborative leadership. The legal counsel selected will be critical in navigating contracts, special education compliance, policy interpretation, and employment matters.
Excluding central voices from these interviews diminishes the board’s ability to make an informed and thoughtful choice.
Ethics Reminder
“I will confine my board action to policy making, planning, and appraisal, and I will help to frame policies and plans only after the board has consulted those who will be affected by them.”
- New Jersey School Ethics Act
Board members are ethically bound to consult those impacted before shaping district plans - and tonight, that consultation was notably absent.
Final Thoughts
While the board did not vote tonight, the concern remains that decisions are being shaped in environments that limit input and undermine collaboration. A delayed vote does not erase the optics of a rushed process or the absence of leadership voices.
If a vote is to occur in the near future, the community expects full board participation - and the inclusion of the Superintendent and department leaders who will live with the decision every day.
Transparency is not just a checkbox. It’s a commitment.