Letter: BOE President Supports Superintendent, Recorded Minutes

The following statement was submitted on behalf of Rocky Point Board of Education President Michael Nofi.

The Board of Education supports the work of Superintendent Michael Ring. Since his appointment, Dr. Ring has demonstrated a planned commitment to increasing academic rigor, while maintaining the staunch financial oversight of our tax dollars that he demonstrated as our Assistant Superintendent for Business. Evidence of the quality of his work is well documented.

Additionally, it is important to know that the recording of district minutes from the July meeting, as well as those held previously, is in full compliance with the laws of the New York State Education Department. There is no legal requirement for public comments to be entered into the minutes of a Board meeting.  As required, recorded minutes are meant to be a concise record of the actions of the Board that took place, and not a verbatim transcript of everything spoken or alleged at a meeting.

We understand that concerns for Dr. Ring’s leadership follow a very public outcry regarding a private matter of personnel, and that it is only human nature to find a target for discontent. But we must ask for civility and respect for the processes and protocols that are associated with any individual’s employment in our district.

Ultimately, it should go without saying that the sensitivity and privacy of this, or any employment matter, is something we all have to respect. We understand the passions and concerns that exist, and all we can say in response is that in any personnel matter, both the employer and employee have responsibilities that have to be forthrightly addressed.  Attacks upon the character and professionalism of the superintendent and members of his staff are unnecessary and unproductive.

Editor's note: A group of parents and taxpayers stated last week that they plan on petitioning the school board to change minutes posted on the school district's website before officially adopting them. In addition, a sizable crowd previously showed up at the July 11 Board of Education meeting to call for the reinstatement of Joe Tapler, assistant principal at the intermediate school.