Race is at forefront at public hearing on Jersey City Superintendent Epps' contract

Published: Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 9:30 PM Updated: Thursday, August 12, 2010, 12:30 AM
Amy Sara Clark/The Jersey Journal

In a crowded, often raucous nearly three hour meeting, dozens of parents and politicians gave their opinion on whether the Board of Education should renew Jersey City Superintendent of Schools Charles T. Epps Jr.?s contract.

The renewal of the contract has been controversial: Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop launched an online petition drive to oust Epps, arguing that the majority of Jersey City public schools have failed to meet federal benchmarks year after year. And Education Commissioner Bret Schundler had urged the board to undertake a national search to possibly replace Epps.

At tonight's meeting, the speakers were about evenly split, with a parade of politicians, educators, students and parents supporting Dr. Epps? contract, and a large cohort of parents -- with a few politicians sprinkled in -- arguing that the board should conduct a national search before granting Epps another two years.

?It?s time to be responsible to see what else is out there,? said Kirsten Greene, who has one child going into School No. 22 and a daughter who was at School No. 3 for three years before moving to the Ethical Community Charter School.

She added, ?In a time that budgets are being crunched, this contract is appalling. One would think that at a salary of $268,200 a year, the superintendent could afford his own car.?

Those supporting Epps praised his involvement with the schools and the community, saying he sees the students at football games, church, the neighborhood store. They said conducting a national search would be a waste of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

?We have a homegrown superintendent who came up though the schools,? said Hudson County Freeholder Jeffrey Dublin. ? To people that criticize, I say: How long have you been in Jersey City??

For the most part the debate was divided by race, with the black participants supporting Epps and the white attendees pushing for a national search.

?Dr. Epps is one of us,? said the Rev. Dr. Rudolf Daniels Sr. ?We have a black man who is in charge of a $600 million budget. That?s not supposed to happen. It?s institutional racism at its best.?

But Chipo Sachirarwe, who is black and has a 4-year-old daughter, said, ?I don?t understand why there would not be a search. I personally don?t think doing a search in itself is a racial act.?

The 10-page contract, which covers July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2013, keeps Epps? salary flat at $268,200 a year for leading the who has led the 27,500-student district . He would continue to have a district-leased car and 22 vacation days and 15 sick days
a year, according to the contract, which was posted on the Jersey City Board of Education website Tuesday morning.

In addition, Epps can still collect the money he is owed for 4931/2 ?carry over? sick days he accumulated prior to his appointment as superintendent in 2000, which adds up to more than $50,000.

What?s new in the contact is that Epps would have to contribute 1.5 percent of his salary toward his pension, as required with new state regulations. In addition, the new contract jettison?s the clause allowing Epps to be paid for up to 10 unused vacation days a year, instead requiring Epps to use or lose all vacation days during the year he is given them.

After the meeting, Epps said he had no problem with the board conducting a national search.

"I think a national search is a good thing," he said. "It's really the board's prerogative."

Asked if he thought the car was necessary for his contract he said that most superintendents across the state had government leased cars
and that it was part of the compensation package.

The contract will next be reviewed by county Superintendent of Schools Tim Brennan, and then go to the Jersey City Board of Education for a final vote, local school officials said.

I am waiting for news of some trick that the school board will pull this evening that will take everyone by surprise and complete the extension of Epps' contract.

Just wanted to remind everyone that the BOE mtg is TONIGHT, 6pm (but get there early) @ 346 Claremont, 6th fl conf rm.

Please come out and show your support for a National Search regardless of what's being ram down our throats.

Sterling Waterman

proposed Superintendent contract -

http://www.boarddocs.com/nj/jcps/Boar ... .pdf/Final%20contract.pdf

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493 accumulated sick days ??!! I smell a $400K+ payout at the end of InEpps tenure. Haven't payouts like this been capped by the State recently ? Or will InEpps screw the City one more time upon leaving ?!

It's outrageous that his contract required giving notice a full year before the current term is over. Sixty or 90 days' notice would be appropriate. The BOE should refuse to renew now, conduct the search, and if they can't find a better candidate, or if Epps improves, they can always choose to offer a renewal in April 2011. Meanwhile, Epps can treat the BOE action as non-renewal so he is free to go get a job elsewhere in June 2011.

And I'm sick about the sick day provisions. Being able to cash in 493 accumulated sick days is absurd. Sick days should be use-it-or-lose-it.

These municipal contracts are going to drive this city to bankruptcy. This has to stop now.

County superintendent: Jersey City Board of Ed has approval process for new superintendent contract backwards

Published: Monday, August 09, 2010, 1:30 PM Updated: Monday, August 09, 2010, 2:16 PM
Ken Thorbourne/The Jersey Journal

The county superintendent and local school officials are in complete disagreement over the proper procedure to finalize a new contract for Jersey City Superintendent of Schools Charles T. Epps Jr.

A public hearing on the new contract is scheduled for Wednesday, 6 p.m., at board headquarters, 346 Claremont Ave.

Asked this afternoon when the new contract would be posted on-line so members of the public could review it prior to the meeting, Deputy Superintendent Flavio Rubano said he didn't know because the board is waiting on county Superintendent of Schools Timothy Brennan to approve it.

And once that was done, the contract would be put on-line, Rubano said.

But Brennan is saying the district has the approval process backwards and he would only approve a contract after the public has had its say.

"My approval should come after the public hearing...As is similar to a public hearing on the budget, at the end of the hearing, the board is free to change the contract and that is the contract I need to see. My approval for any contract prior to the public hearing would be premature," Brennan added.

Superintendent of schools since 2000, Epps currently earns $268,000 a year. Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop and board member Sterling Waterman have pushed for a national search to possibly replace Epps.

State Education Commissioner Bret Schundler, who is a former mayor of Jersey City, also made calls to board members, urging them to undertake the national search, but that advice has been rejected.

Though Epps has made some progress lifting scores in lower grades, the majority of schools in the district consistently fail to meet federal benchmarks and roughly one-third of high schoolers graduate using an alternate test to the High School Proficiency Assessment exam.

If you want to speak you must call ahead and get your name on the speaker's list: Ok mtg is at 6pm at BOE on Claremont, 6th Floor Horace Smith Conference Room. Call Anna Marie Carpenito, all of you, to have her schedule each of you who will speak. The more we have the better as each is doing different things. Here is Anna's # 201-915-6074 You must call her to schedule to speak.

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If you want to speak you must call ahead and get your name on the speaker's list:

Ok mtg is at 6pm at BOE on Claremont, 6th Floor Horace Smith Conference Room. Call Anna Marie Carpenito, all of you, to have her schedule each of you who will speak. The more we have the better as each is doing different things. Here is Anna's # 201-915-6074 You must call her to schedule to speak.

Everyone, let's not wonder what will happen at the next meeting, let's all attend, speak and make it happen.

InEpps has paraded his supporters and political hack bedfellows at the last meeting so now it's time for the fed up folks to be heard.

The next meeting is on Aug 11 @ 6pm. The venue is once again 346 Claremont Ave, 6th fl conf rm. InEpps and the boe president is trying to deter people from attending by holding this meeting in such as small space.

See you there!

Levin may be "competing" but is he electable?

A sense of entitlement clearly defines Epps. He seriously feels he's entitled to all the compensation he can get for the poor job he's done. And he's surrounded himself with lackeys and sycophants who have prospered by riding his gravy train. Not to mention all the vendors who he's given sweetheart contracts to.

It will be illuminating to see which way Carol Lester votes on Wednesday night. Will she support the Fulop agenda and vote against Epps. Or will she take the Levin position to maintain the status quo. Funny how Fulop and Levin are competing to be the Anti-Healy and the next mayor.

i bet the guy lives in society hill by way of the hamptons. his dearly departed son, may he rest in peace, went to st. peter's prep '05. obviously the family has no confidence in their own schools.

superintendent epps has both a son and a father in Heaven and pays no regard to those suffering IN THIS WORLD. And he reaps a king's ransom for his failures. He did a piss-poor job of serving his assembly district, and now he will get a few more years to coast by until he retires. ON THAT NOTE: what is his golden parachute of a retirement package?

superintendant epps should be embarrassed with himself and ashamed. eut it is obvious that some people feel only entitlement and never shame. what a wretch. what a waste. like the mayor he will retire in disgrace but he will not give a goddamn.

Here is a reminder how Epps robbed the schools in 2006

http://jclist.com/modules/newbb/viewt ... pe=&topic_id=5151&forum=6

DanL,
The way I see it is this is a fight on two ends. On one end, benchmarks and goals do indeed need to be in place, whether Epp's will respect them or not. On the other front, the fight must go on despite recent events that seemingly give the spectre of defeat. Besides, you are dealing with an arrogant, condescending and cocky individual that doesn't and hasn't answered to anyone at the Board, ever, and most likely won't going forward. Everyone needs to know this, especially our board members. Don't be fooled by this wolf in lamb's clothing.

Like Yogi Berra once said "it ain't over til the fat lady sings".

If, in fact, the legality of the extension can be attacked due to insufficient notice, then that should be pursued.

This may have been mooted by the most recent meeting.

Otherwise, I agree with Dan, that at this point it makes sense to demand performance related measures and accountability in the current contract.

The next step is to fight hard in next years school board election to elect another reform minded slate.

Notwithstanding the impressive results this year, no one should deceive themselves into thinking it will be easy. The show of support for Epps demonstrates that he has the support of officials with a political base. I am guessing that Sandra Cunningham will put up a much stronger fight than the Healy administration.

Dan,

I like and respect you. Every time we have spoken, you have made sense.

You struck out here. I understand your intent, but what you are doing is in effect giving your approval of Epps. Even if at the end of the day, he stays, he needs to understand he is under a microscope. Giving in on this gives him the green light to continue with his mismanagement of our school system. A contract with some benchmarks will surely be ignored because at that point, he will feel he is untouchable.

It is bad enough that we have issues with patronage at City Hall, but it sounds like the School Board may be worse. All these people are supporting Epps because it benefits them personally?

I have not been at one of these meetings, but who are all the people screaming at Waterman? What do they have to gain by keeping Epps?

Quote:

Unbelievable ! Using that kind of logic I could make a case for retaining Healy even though he sat at a table while bribes were being offered.

We should move on ?! All or nothing will not work for us ?! The man has had 10 years to do the job and has failed. Now you want him to stay until 2013 !? WTF !!??

this is not criticism of the BoE members that sought a search for a new superintendent. I agree with them and advocated for outside leadership in many venues over years including the 2008/2009 municipal election cycle and back in 2005 when Dr. Epps ran and then served (double dipped) for two years as a NJ State Assemblyman.

that said, I believe that we should move on .... why?

- because on September 9th, I will be among the parents and caregivers of the 28,000 public school kids walking them to their first day back to school and with or without Dr. Epps, there is much that needs to and can be done

- because we need to achieve the best possible outcome under the circumstances and that is a contract setting the tone for accountability, cost control and job performance (for Dr. Epps and those that come after).

all or nothing will not work for us.

It's not about blaming Dr. Epps for the state of our city, only about holding him accountable for improving the performance of our schools.

No single individual can do more to affect the quality of the schools than the Superintendent. Until the current year's state budget cuts, during Dr. Epps' tenure in the job, school funding has consistently increased, Abbott funding has better prepared students coming into the system, and the demographics most directly affecting opportunity (family income, poverty rate) of the student body have stayed steady or slightly improved.

If the current regime cannot bring improvement under relatively favorable circumstances, the chances of being able to do it in a more challenging environment are not promising.

Again, if he's the right guy for the job, why try to preempt an open examination of his performance and other possibilities?

Quote:

shell-game.

The superintendant can not be blamed on account of socio-economical conditons that created our student body. He has done a fine job and continues.

We need public officials who will fight for Jersey City, not just roll over and "move on" at a hint of opposition. Dr. Epps' tenure has not been marked by success. If it was, he and his supporters would not have a problem with stacking his record up against other prospective candidates. If he had a record of success in improving school performance, there would be no public traction for a search. In fact, if his tenure was marked by success, the Board under his leadership would not have tried to illegally ram through an extension.

There are 28,000 reasons to fight. This is not about the folks at the top, but the kids in the schools.

njlist,
Thank you!

Mr. Waterman,
Whether one agrees with you or not regarding Epps, superindendent salaries, the national search, I have to say that I admire your willingness to stick your neck our for what you believe is right.
When I first posted during the school board elections, you were an unknown entity,so to speak, and so I did wonder what your motives for running might have been. However, actions speak louder than words, and I think it is evident that your intentions are in the right place.
Just wanted to let you know.

Mr. Waterman,
Keep up the good fight.

When I look at this chart I see a scandal.
The status quo is indefensible.

As a board member, I was truly dismayed, disgusted and disappointed with the last board (special) meeting. To be part of an organization that refuses to embrace an opportunity to improve the schools is quite disheartening and inexplicable. Further, to be only one of two "no" voters who was heckled, cursed and shouted down at every opportunity, at this meeting, was eye opening and surreal. To have only one supporter speak out on behalf of a national search vs many who opposed was unfortunate. As a black man with a child in public school, it's hard not to lose hope. But as a Board member, I will fight this TO THE END. And with all respect to Dan, I cannot move on and truly hope others (the public and board members) don't.

For those who made this a racial issue, it is truly not, regardless of who is speaking out. Thank god for those who are putting our children and citizens first. This is also not about any one person, not about downtown vs uptown, or ward E vs other wards. For anyone turning the fact that the schools are in very bad shape, and most of the children failing are minorities, into anything but the failure of many moving parts including and especially the head of schools, is acting irresponsible and doing our children and the citizens of JC, an injustice. Yes, parents should be held accountable for their children but we as a Board cannot improve households but we can improve the schools.

Additionally, though I respect Senator Cunningham, Assemblyman Mainor, Freeholder Dublin and all of Dr. Epp's supporters, I couldn't disagree with them more in their support for Dr. Epps. The facts and statistics are clear and undeniable.Some politicians and board members applaud Epp's sudden and "very powerful" plan to improve schools. Where was this plan prior to this opposition that he has never experienced in his 10 years. His actual plan is to move around 14 principals. Damn it, we have 35 failing schools. The principals are simply going from one failing school to the next. What kind of plan is this? Heck, we've only 3 elementary/middle schools that are passing and none of the administrators from these schools are moving, which would make more sense. The principals that are moving were notified towards the end of the school year. I heard nothing of a plan to prepare them for their new schools for a better chance of success. Some principals are being moved for the 4th or 5th time in their careers. Why? This plan of Epp's is simply a smoke screen. We should not be fooled by this salad dressing. What is he really planning to helped our schools. The answer is simple. He hasn't a clue.

Let me clear something up. I believe that I was the first known candidate for the BOE when I announced it at City Hall and here on JCList. Way back then when I stood alone, with no known support or endorsements, my platform included a call for a new superintendent. At many of the debates afterwards and other venues, I reiterated my stance. I stood and stand steadfast on this issue despite attacks from my own kind or alliances from others. I say this to those who misconstrue my position. It's never changed.

The next meeting of August 11th, held at 346 Claremont Ave, is a very important one. No one knows what the commissioner will do, if anything. What we do know is what we can do. Please come out. And better yet, please speak.
We gotta believe.

Sterling Waterman

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While I disagree with DanL on the above issue, understand that Carol Lester is an asset on the board until proven otherwise. Carol apologized for her abstaining on July 22nd and had reasonable reasons why she abstained. Let's see what happens on Aug 11th when every vote against extending Epps contract without a National Search will count and show how each board member is positioning him or herself on the board. I believe in giving everyone the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise. I also understand that good people may differ in what they do and how they see an issue, especially those who differ with moi.

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Are you serious ??!! This kind of statement is why nobody took your candidacy for Mayor seriously in the first place. Steve Fulop knows that Epps must go. Sue Mack and Sterling Waterman did the right thing and voted no. Your mealy-mouth reponse sounds like it came from Carol Lester.