"The extent of community involvement is ultimately the board's decision," a consulting group says.
The Phillipsburg Board of Education on Monday got flack for not being more open in the process of selecting a new superintendent -- a process the teachers' union claims has been corrupted by politics. Hundreds of residents turned out to support an internal candidate for the position.
But just how much leeway does a school board have when it comes public disclosure when hiring for the district's top job?
We asked the New Jersey School Boards Association, which offers consultation on superintendent searches. It is not involved in Phillipsburg's search.
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As with other public personnel issues, there isn't all that much that can be disclosed.
"In conducting a search, the search committee cannot release the names of applicants. That is considered confidential information," said Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the association.
Phillipsburg solicited applications early this year and received at least 10 responses. They went to a search committee comprised of six board members who do not have conflicts like a relative working in the district, the local board's attorney, Jeff Russo, said Monday.
The eventual hire will come to a vote before the full, 12-member board. The three-to-five-year contract that results will be a public document.
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One source of contention in Phillipsburg's situation is the teachers' assertion that they, along with other district staff and residents, were excluded from the process.
When consulting for a district, the association will normally include forums for staff and community and a survey -- all early in the process. But it will alter the process to suit a local school board's needs.
And, Belluscio said, there is no requirement that anyone outside the board be involved at all.
"The extent of community involvement is ultimately the board's decision," he said.
Phillipsburg must make a hire soon. Superintendent George Chando is retiring when his contract expires at the end of June, and it is customary for a new hire to give 60 days notice to their current employer.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.