The ‘Work Together’ Group is at it Again (Still)

The Berkeley Heights BOE elections are over. The district will have two new representatives, along with returning member Angela Penna, installed in less than two months. And yet, ‘we hate Sai’ continues to be the hobby of District leadership and the BOE Members who support them. Why? Who is directing this, and who benefits? Where is the collaboration? Where is the kindness?

If the intent in spreading frivolous (and that’s a very deliberate use of the word) claims and incorrect information about Sai was to influence the election… psst! The election is over. If the intent is to neuter her influence in board decisions… guess what? D’Aquila, Penna and the yes-men have seen to it that she never had a chance. What possible reason could any town resident have for continuing this inaccurate and useless series of attacks? I’ll let you in on a secret: using ‘Sai is bad’ as an excuse for your own terrible behavior makes you a hypocrite.

I have a hypothesis (quickly becoming a theory), as do others, that this is coming from the very top of our district. The Superintendent and her sidekick Business Administrator appear to be playing games with OPRA requests, executive meeting minutes, and favoritism – along with their selective responses to parents, inflammatory statements during the SI’s report, and other actions. In addition, the board attorney is now playing games (poorly, I might add) with ethics complaints. Again, why?

Time after time, the leadership of this district and several loud voices lament, “Why can’t we work together?” while at the same time fanatically lobbing attacks. BOE members blaming Sai for ethics charges stemming from their own actions is stupid. You don’t correct others’ perceived wrongs by doing worse things yourself. You don’t get to a place of collaboration by adjusting meeting minutes, refusing to hear ideas from those you dislike, and spoon-feeding residents inaccurate and silly information via OPRA. If you want the ethics claims and infighting to stop, it’s pretty damned easy. Just stop it.

-Shauna Williams

Related Articles:

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP APPEARS TO PLAY POLITICS AGAIN.

IS THE DISTRICT’S TOP LEADERSHIP SEEKING TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION?

UNNECESSARY “LAWSUITS” AND THE BLAME GAME

SILENCE SPEAKS VOLUMES

DR. VARLEY, HIGH PRICED ATTORNEYS AND THE ANGRY SIX VS. SAI AKIRI

OPRA, ATTORNEYS AND AWARDS CEREMONIES