Freehold Regional Board of Education risks losing public's trust

Recently, you ran retired Lt. Col. (USMC) James Sfayer's commentary in support of James Wasser and the Freehold Regional High School District ("Freehold Regional Is Really All About Student Achievement," News Transcript, Dec. 10).

As a former U.S. Marine myself, and retired law enforcement officer, I have a different opinion.

To suggest Wasser and the FRHSD exhibited even plausible leadership in this matter is a farce. Wasser and at least two other high level officials purchased doctorate credentials using taxpayer money from a phony diploma mill, then tried to defend their actions when their scam was exposed.

I was not at the Board of Education meeting in question. Had I been there I would have applauded the folks who spoke out against Wasser. Casual dismissal of legitimate citizen complaints isn't going to wash the stain placed upon the entire board.

Why is this such a big deal? Our kids are facing a world much unlike the one we knew. They are going to be competing for jobs that transcend national borders. If they don't develop highly adaptive skills, they will likely face being commoditized at some point in their lives. Education will be a major determinant in their future success. We need to instill a sense of urgency in them to do their very best.W

hat kind of message does it send to our kids when we allow guys like Wasser to keep their jobs?

At every turn, he hid behind his taxpayer-funded attorney using every "legal" manner possible

to avoid citizen redress. This high-level education official

didn't see anything wrong with his post-secondary doctorate based on life experience and substandard academic work. In fact, he defended it to the very end.

Unfortunately, this seems like a growing trend in politics — admit nothing, deny everything, put a spin on the allegations. Work through third party channels to regain public favor. There's not enough carpet to sweep this fiasco under.

In lieu of the financial crisis, weakening tax revenues and declining property tax bases, it's expected a great amount of pressure will be exerted on the funding for public schools.

If the current board cannot tackle putting aside cozy relationships and firing the folks caught up in this scam, then they cannot be trusted to make the really tough decisions that will be forthcoming.

John Pao Marlboro