Orange Parents Form Advocacy Group - COPA

The Following is a press release sent by Michael Richetelli, who heads this group.

Following a meeting of concerned parents on Monday, Sept. 12, at High Plains Community Center, a grass roots organization called COPA (Concerned Orange Parents Association) has been formed. At the meeting, also attended by members of the press, many parents expressed concerns over the Superintendent Hiring Process recently utilized by the Orange BOE.

Most troubling is that the BOE ignored their own policies put in place for conducting a Superintendent Search, including, not only the stipulation that they form a search committee, but also other provisions, such as one that requires them to comply with Affirmative Action procedures, including making specific efforts to recruit minority and underrepresented groups of candidates.

In response to the concerns expressed over the policy violation, the Board Chair, Jeanne Consiglio-Hoin, said in a letter that the BOE policies are “guides for action”.  COPA spokesperson, Michael Richetelli has said this is not an acceptable explanation for the BOE not following their policies and procedures, “As far as I’m concerned, policies are rules and they're there for a reason… to be followed. Any company that I’ve ever been associated with has a Policy Manual, and if you violate a policy, you’re subject to a penalty, typically termination, which is why I’m calling for Ms. Consiglio-Hoin to step down.”

Richetelli also addressed the plans for COPA moving forward. “We are in the process of building on the group of concerned citizens that have come together and we will continue investigating this process until every stone is overturned and until we get some answers from the Board. At this time, we're considering all options, including any legal recourse.” COPA has retained the legal services of Attorney Robert Russo of Russo & Associates, in Fairfield.

BOE members have refused numerous requests to meet to discuss the concerns over this process and cancelled the September BOE meeting. COPA has requested the BOE address the issue at their October 11^th meeting and members of COPA are planning to attend to express their concerns.