Board hears NJ School Boards Association guide on superintendent and board evaluations

PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany‑Troy Hills Board of Education received a step‑by‑step briefing on superintendent and board evaluations from Paul Pinero of the New Jersey School Boards Association during its May 7 meeting.

Pinero described two linked processes: the chief school administrator (CSA) or superintendent evaluation — which state law requires be completed in writing by July 1 — and the voluntary board self‑evaluation. "So we'll start with the superintendent evaluation," Pinero said, explaining the superintendent submits goals and evidence, then the board rates and compiles comments and holds a summative conference. He called the NJSBA tool "an optional service offered to the board … as part of dues," saying it provides a standardized methodology to meet statutory requirements and to record strengths, areas for improvement and indicators of student progress.

Pinero walked the board through how the platform captures goals, evidence and ratings and how compilation reports are produced. He said the normal cycle includes an executive session for non‑conflicted board members to discuss ratings, a rights letter for the superintendent and a summary conference where the board and superintendent review final findings.

Pinero also described safeguards and roles: the NJSBA compiles results and can help prepare the compilation report but will purge records annually, while redaction of inappropriate staff‑related comments is typically handled by the board attorney. "I always on the side of over redacting," he said when discussing public records and personnel privacy.

Board members asked about the length and substance of comments; one board member said one or two sentences usually suffice but recommended more detail if a numerical rating is low so the compilation accurately reflects reasons for the score. Pinero recommended the board prioritize the superintendent evaluation to meet the July 1 deadline and then complete the board self‑evaluation.

What’s next: NJSBA will compile the board responses and provide a compilation report; the board will schedule the required summary conference and decide on any redactions prior to public release.