Bruce Novozinsky

Guest Column

Local resident calls for school board member's resignation

Those who follow events in the local papers have undoubtedly read the unfortunate events following the Feb. 7 school board meeting involving member Mr. Howard Krieger and local resident Doctor Arun Singh.

Unfortunate in substance, it was alleged by Dr. Singh that Mr. Krieger directed a racial slur (let's just call it what it was alleged, "a [expletive] dot head) not once, but twice at Dr. Singh as a reaction to his public comments at the evening's session. School board member Jeanette Bressi became visibly upset during the meeting procedures (leaving members of the public wondering why) and it soon became obvious as to the circumstances once this story began to unfold in the next 24 hours. She has made public comment in the March 11 Asbury Park Press that "There is no doubt in my mind to what I heard; I gave my full testimony to the board and the board's attorney in closed session."

This incident was witnessed by two respected members of our community, Township Committee member Steve Alexander, an officer with the Upper Freehold Regional Education Foundation, and in subsequent conversations with both of these men, they too have no doubt in their minds as to what they heard.

In the immediate days following, Mr. Alexander contacted the school board and expressed his concern over this matter, and Ms. Bressi's testimony basically concurred with Mr. Alexander's account. Mr. Alexander also offered to formally be interviewed by the board members on what he witnessed and confirmed that he did clearly hear Mr. Krieger call Dr. Singh the racial slur as well as say an additional vulgarity toward Ms. Bressi. The aforementioned officer of the Education Foundation made his feelings on the situation clear in subsequent interviews both in the Messenger Press and Examiner. Furthermore, Mr. Krieger phoned Mr. Alexander to apologize in the direct aftermath of the incident.

Mr. Krieger then offered to resign. Dr. Singh insisted that the letter of resignation include a note that the primary reason was due to using a racial slur. Mr. Krieger then decided to rescind his resignation and went on the defensive. He once again called Mr. Alexander and this time challenged his memory by saying what he repeated in the local papers that what he actually said was "don't be a [expletive] hot head" referring to himself. Aside from this is the alleged obscene gesture. Mr. Krieger further stated that he had a rash under his chin and was "scratching it." Now the excuses are piling up. An alleged racial slur, an alleged vulgarity against a board member and an alleged obscene gesture all met with excuses. One has to start thinking where there is smoke there is fire.

There are five respected individuals within the community involved here. A Township Committee member, two school board members, the president of a local nonprofit educational based committee, and a doctor of medicine. A pretty impressive cast of characters. In the center of this we have two individuals that stand to lose a lot in terms of reputation as an aftermath. Mr. Krieger is a man who is free with his volunteerism and community service. He is a local businessman who has leveraged his profit for the betterment of the children of the school. Doctor Singh is a man who is opinionated, educated and sincere as well. His demeanor at meetings and open forums is noticed. His thoughts are written out and concise.

But we as a community are left to form our own opinions (as is human nature) because like 99 percent of our neighbors, we were not there Feb. 7. Five people of otherwise unblemished reputations were at varying stages. So what we do? Do we let it go and let the storm winds die? Do we settle with the closed session of the school board that voted to censure? Or do we consider the following: four of the five people involved are completely certain about what they heard and witnessed and are willing to be interviewed by the school board and local media, placing their reputations right smack in the cross-hairs. The remaining person in the center of this incident is reduced to explaining to the community that "hot" really does rhyme with "dot" and that his chin itches.

School board President Joseph Stampe is placed in an extremely unenviable position. He must oversee the process of discipline and order within his board but is bound by the conclave rules of closed session and its restrictions of public knowledge. We have rules in our governing bodies and they are to be respected. But we also have the right as community members who pull levers in the voting machines to have the respect of those we trust with the decision making that affect our children.

Mr. Krieger, this situation is far from being put behind you so you can get a school built (a paraphrase from your press quote). This will overshadow the unpopular referendum before the voters in April (as you acknowledged it could do when you considered resignation several weeks ago) and overshadow the upcoming election which is being considered by many the most critical school board election in recent memory. Should you agree with Dr. Singh's demand that your letter of resignation be dictated by what he strongly believes was said? No. Write what you like. Resignation is enough, but resignation is warranted. A possible momentary lapse in judgment will not erase a tremendous amount of good that you brought to this community, but it's time to put this issue in the past. Being left to compound these issues with excuses that border on insulting and would be laughed out of a high school principal's office if offered up by a sophomore given the same circumstances in the 400 corridor is both insulting and a disgrace.

Bruce Novozinsky is a resident of Upper Freehold