Board members criticize process after president signs superintendent‑search contract before full-board review

A governance dispute over process and transparency emerged at the Berkeley Heights Board of Education meeting when several members objected to the board president’s signing of a contract with the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) before the full board had reviewed the contract’s terms.

Legal counsel and the president said the board previously authorized engaging a search firm, and the president executed the agreement to secure an earlier kickoff date requested by multiple board members. But at least three board members said they received the signed contract only after the fact and asked to table formal approval while they review and propose changes. The motion to table failed on a procedural vote, and the board proceeded to include the NJSBA engagement in the consent resolutions.

Board counsel advised that practices vary across districts and that standard language in the resolution authorizes the board president and secretary to execute documents to effectuate contract terms. Several members asked the administration to set a clear process going forward so that any future third‑party contracts are circulated to members for review before execution.

The board also discussed logistics: NJSBA representatives are scheduled to attend a May 20 meeting to begin the search process. Board members said they will submit any contract concerns in writing to the administration so they can be raised with NJSBA before the next board session.