PTHEA Votes 'No Confidence' In Superintendent's Reopening Work

PARSIPPANY, NJ – As the school year is about to begin, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Education Association has taken a vote of "no confidence" in the superintendent's handling of the reopening of schools.

In a letter dated Aug. 28, the Parsippany- Troy Hill Education Association (PTHEA) said it hoped to have "more answers, be more ready, and feel fewer anxieties," as the new school year approached.

The PTHEA claimed Superintendent Barbara Sargent ignored comments and concerns of educators who served on reopening committees. The organization claimed Sargent made "poor decisions" that led to the "no confidence" vote, including:

• Ignoring evidence the district wasn't prepared for full-day reopening and switching to half-day learning "at the last minute."
• An "unimaginative" mandate forcing teacher to approach instruction in the exact same manner.
• Rejection of the Association's request for teachers to continue working remotely if they are forced to quarantine.
• Refusal to consider purchasing plexiglass dividers or masks for students.

"Dr. Sargent's wishful thinking, her tendency to defer key decisions, her brushoff of legitimate fears, and her disinclination to reexamine policy weaknesses, have left the students and staff in a precarious position," PTHEA said in the letter.

The PTHEA membership voted 3 to 1 that they have "no confidence" in Sargent.

On Sunday, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education (BoE) responded with a letter expressing support for Sargent.

"We understand that the PTHEA has taken a vote of 'no confidence' relative to Dr. Sargent's plan to return to school and we are saddened by the Union's lack of positive leadership and productive cooperation at this time," the BoE said in the letter.

"The Union's history of miscommunication to their members, and their rush to condemn the hardworking individuals who have only held the best interest of the entire district community in their decisions, serves only to divide the district and fails to properly serve our students."

The BoE said there is currently no "good" solution to reopening schools that will please everyone and that Sargent has followed the guidelines put in place by the New Jersey Department of Education.

"There have been multiple public presentations on the plan for the Fall," the BoE wrote. "While changes have been made along the way, this is a testament to Dr. Sargent's ability to adapt to the changes at the state level, new information being published by the CDC and state health officials and the voiced concerns of our parents and staff."

School is set to begin for students in Cohort A on Wednesday and students in Cohort B on Thursday. Friday will be a virtual day for all students.