Dr. Montesano and Mr. Jones are both gentlemen.
Way back when, Mr. Jones was my 5th grade teacher and I still remember a Science project where we had water flowing on a table of dirt to show how the sediment moves down a mountain…to be young again.
“Blaming” is probably the wrong word. But shouldn’t there be a person who is accountable? I understand the challenges that face our community and I couldn’t agree with you more on their “leadership, ability, dedication, compassion, and respect.” Years ago, those qualities were enough to educate Hackensack’s students. For the most part, the system which was in place worked. Times have changed and things are much different now.
So who is the fall guy?
There are many more challenges facing the new Superintendent. Whoever gets the job shouldn’t get raise after raise just because he’s dedicated and works hard. He should be rewarded based on the performance of the kids. I realize that it doesn’t work this way but it should.
Both men have committed their lives to the children of Hackensack and this post is not a personal attack on either one. Should their commitment alone (or that of the new Superintendent) be rewarded as generously as it has been in the past without the results?
Also, people in the corporate world have the opportunity to make lots more money but it’s unfair to compare the two. Since most upper management jobs are performance based, if you’re not getting the job done, you’re not promoted or maybe even fired. Dr. Montesano has ALWAYS had the security of knowing his job would be there, no matter what. To some, job security is priceless. There are many people in the corporate world with Masters and Doctorates and lots of experience who would give their right arm for that $190,000 or even $155,000.
When Dr. Montesano retires his pension will be approximately 38/55 of his final salary and will include lifetime medical benefits. Did he earn it? Absolutely, because he’s shown “leadership, ability, dedication, compassion, and respect.” How many people in the corporate world walk out with a package like that?
Editor, you mentioned in a previous post awhile back that you went to St. Joe’s in Montvale and hated it. I went to HHS and although I didn’t hate it, I felt let down. So much so, my kids are going the Catholic school route. My questions to you are:
Are you confident enough with the system that’s in place now to send your kids to the Hackensack schools? Do you think any changes should be made? Should any administrators be held accountable or is the problem strictly the socioeconomics and language barrier? Should we expect results from the new Superintendent or just be satisfied because he’s dedicated and compassionate?