Last October, just before the November elections, it came to light that an ethics complaint was filed against Middletown Board of Education member Joan Minnuies with the New Jersey School Ethics Commission by fellow board member Vinnie Brand (you can refresh your memories by referring back to my earlier posting on the subject ... HERE ).
Back in October when I wrote the post, Vinnie Brand mentioned to me that he had several other ethic complaints against Joan Minnuies yet to file. I've learned that those complaints have been filed (and confirmed with Brand) and are pending a hearing. What's interesting about this latest ethics filing is that Vinnie Brand's complaints have been endorsed and signed by the other 4 male members of the Middletown Board of Education against Joan Minnuies.
I don't have information about what the actual charges that were filed happen to be, but back in October Brand said that he had grounds to file several more, which at the time he cared not to specifically mention. And as of today, there has been no word from the New Jersey School Ethics Commission concerning the previously pending filed charges against Minnuies.
Stay tuned ...
Showing posts with label NJ School Ethics Commission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NJ School Ethics Commission. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Ethics Complaint Filed Against Middletown BOE Member By Fellow BOE Member; My Conversation with Vinnie Brand
Yesterday was a rather interesting day, shortly after waking I was bombarded with texts, emails and a few phone calls, all wanting to know if I had read or heard anything about an ethics complaint filed by Middletown Board of Education (BOE) member Vinnie Brand against fellow BOE member (former board president) Joan Minnuies. I had not and was referred to a posting in the MIDDLETOWN New Jersey Facebook group. And it has taken until now to get my thoughts together. The post was written by another local blogger that I chose not to link to, if you wish to read it you can by accessing it through the Facebook group page.
According to the account, Brand filed a two part complaint. The first part of the complaint has to do with a personnel issue and whether or not Minnuies should have recused herself from voting due to the fact that her daughter, Jenna Minnuies Jackson, is a sports coach at Middletown North High School and would have benefited if the outcome of the vote was favorable; it was not.
The second part of the complaint filed with the New Jersey School Ethics Commission against Joan Minnuies, alleges that Minnuies arranged for Middletown High School North students to receive credit for community service in exchange for "volunteering" at her granddaughters birthday party. Minnuies's granddaughter is the daughter of High School North coach, Jenna Minnuies Jackson, Joan Minnuies's daughter.
Both allegations are serious and it will be up to the ethics commission to decide on the appropriate punishment if they find that the allegations have merit. Punishments for ethics violations could range from a simple reprimand, a censorship of some type to be determined by the local BOE or removal from her position on the BOE.
Now let's backtrack a little bit.
Last week I ran into Vinnie Brand at the Harmony School "Meet the Candidates Night", I wanted to see for myself who was running and what they had to say. Vinnie saw me come in and pulled me off to the side and stated that he had something to speak to me about but he couldn't that night due to the circumstances of the event. We exchanged phone numbers and he said he would call me. That phone call never came until yesterday. I sent him a text stating how I could now assume what he wanted to talk about; he called me immediately.
I was on the phone with Brand, between two calls, for nearly 45 minutes yesterday, after which my head was spinning. If you've ever talked to the man you'd know what I mean. The conversations were fast, furious and dominated by Brand explaining himself and his actions for filing the complaint against Minnuies. Most, if not all, of what he said I couldn't disagree with after he explained himself.
Brand went on to say that Joan Minnuies has several other conflicts of interest, as well as, questionable actions as a BOE member, that will lead him to file another ethics complaint against her shortly. He stated that he could recount a minimum of 15 examples of ethical violations conducted by Minnuies attempting to protect her daughter. He could also recount many other times in which Minnuies stated, "I don't care", to the board attorney referring to how many ethical violations she may be in violation of as long as she gets what she wants.
Brand continued and added that Minnuies recently used Middletown High School North letterhead to send letters to parents, telling them of her many personal accomplishments as a BOE member and organizer of Project Prom.
When I questioned Brand about the timing of the ethics filing - that it seemed like a cheap campaign stunt designed to embarrass Joan and sway voter opinion against her a week before election day, he said that wasn't the case. He said that there had been many instances over the past few months when he thought about filing charges but didn't until after a September meeting of the BOE, when he had had enough of her behavior that he deemed offensive and unethical. He said his motives were not political and that he did not publicizes or announce to anyone that he had filed charges against her. He said that he had no idea how people found out about it, but it wasn't through him.
When I said to him that some are saying that he was in cahoots with current Middletown Board of Education President, James Cody, (who's up for reelection as well this year) against Joan Minnuies he flat out denied it. He said that as a member of the BOE, he informed Cody and the school board's attorney that he was filing ethics charges against Minnuies and that both were leery and advised against it.
I could go on further about what we talked about, but the bottomline is Brand is fully aware of what he did and he is unapologetic about it. As a father with children still in the school district, he knows full well that his kids my suffer some type of retribution for his actions in this matter. But he said someone needed to stand up to Joan Minnuies because so many others in and around the district are "petrified" of her because she can be a bully and isn't afraid to retaliate against someone if they cross her in someway.
Here's my two bits on the subject:
Over the years I've heard many stories about Joan Minnuies's conduct and actions as a BOE member from others, including former (and current) BOE members, former and current district teachers, guidance counselors and administrators, as well as, parents that take a good portion of their time to attend the rather long meetings (on school nights) of the Middletown Board of Education. Depending on whose stories you listen to or care to believe, you either love Joan or hate her; there are few that fall in-between.
For many reasons I personally don't care for the job Joan Minnuies has done as a member of the Middletown Board of Education. As the longest serving member of the BOE, I feel that she has become to accustomed to the position and feels entitled to it. Once any elected official begins to feel entitlement in any way, it's time for a change. My feelings have nothing to do with whether or not there is an ethical complaint filed against her. It's just time for a change.
If the New Jersey School Ethics Commission finds that Minnuies has indeed had lapses in ethical conduct detrimental to the local school board, then they will handle it appropriately. Until then, there's an election in several day and voters can determine for themselves what constitutes a lapse in ethics and whether or not the changes filed against her were for the good of the school district or just a political ploy.
***********************
Correction 10/29/15
It was previously stated that Jenna Minnuies Jackson was a teacher at Middletown High School North, she is not. Minnuies Jackson is a sports coach for the high school. Sorry if there was some confusion.
 |
| Joan Minnuies |
The second part of the complaint filed with the New Jersey School Ethics Commission against Joan Minnuies, alleges that Minnuies arranged for Middletown High School North students to receive credit for community service in exchange for "volunteering" at her granddaughters birthday party. Minnuies's granddaughter is the daughter of High School North coach, Jenna Minnuies Jackson, Joan Minnuies's daughter.
Both allegations are serious and it will be up to the ethics commission to decide on the appropriate punishment if they find that the allegations have merit. Punishments for ethics violations could range from a simple reprimand, a censorship of some type to be determined by the local BOE or removal from her position on the BOE.
Now let's backtrack a little bit.
Last week I ran into Vinnie Brand at the Harmony School "Meet the Candidates Night", I wanted to see for myself who was running and what they had to say. Vinnie saw me come in and pulled me off to the side and stated that he had something to speak to me about but he couldn't that night due to the circumstances of the event. We exchanged phone numbers and he said he would call me. That phone call never came until yesterday. I sent him a text stating how I could now assume what he wanted to talk about; he called me immediately.
I was on the phone with Brand, between two calls, for nearly 45 minutes yesterday, after which my head was spinning. If you've ever talked to the man you'd know what I mean. The conversations were fast, furious and dominated by Brand explaining himself and his actions for filing the complaint against Minnuies. Most, if not all, of what he said I couldn't disagree with after he explained himself.
 |
| Vinnie Brand |
Brand continued and added that Minnuies recently used Middletown High School North letterhead to send letters to parents, telling them of her many personal accomplishments as a BOE member and organizer of Project Prom.
When I questioned Brand about the timing of the ethics filing - that it seemed like a cheap campaign stunt designed to embarrass Joan and sway voter opinion against her a week before election day, he said that wasn't the case. He said that there had been many instances over the past few months when he thought about filing charges but didn't until after a September meeting of the BOE, when he had had enough of her behavior that he deemed offensive and unethical. He said his motives were not political and that he did not publicizes or announce to anyone that he had filed charges against her. He said that he had no idea how people found out about it, but it wasn't through him.
When I said to him that some are saying that he was in cahoots with current Middletown Board of Education President, James Cody, (who's up for reelection as well this year) against Joan Minnuies he flat out denied it. He said that as a member of the BOE, he informed Cody and the school board's attorney that he was filing ethics charges against Minnuies and that both were leery and advised against it.
I could go on further about what we talked about, but the bottomline is Brand is fully aware of what he did and he is unapologetic about it. As a father with children still in the school district, he knows full well that his kids my suffer some type of retribution for his actions in this matter. But he said someone needed to stand up to Joan Minnuies because so many others in and around the district are "petrified" of her because she can be a bully and isn't afraid to retaliate against someone if they cross her in someway.
Here's my two bits on the subject:
Over the years I've heard many stories about Joan Minnuies's conduct and actions as a BOE member from others, including former (and current) BOE members, former and current district teachers, guidance counselors and administrators, as well as, parents that take a good portion of their time to attend the rather long meetings (on school nights) of the Middletown Board of Education. Depending on whose stories you listen to or care to believe, you either love Joan or hate her; there are few that fall in-between.
For many reasons I personally don't care for the job Joan Minnuies has done as a member of the Middletown Board of Education. As the longest serving member of the BOE, I feel that she has become to accustomed to the position and feels entitled to it. Once any elected official begins to feel entitlement in any way, it's time for a change. My feelings have nothing to do with whether or not there is an ethical complaint filed against her. It's just time for a change.
If the New Jersey School Ethics Commission finds that Minnuies has indeed had lapses in ethical conduct detrimental to the local school board, then they will handle it appropriately. Until then, there's an election in several day and voters can determine for themselves what constitutes a lapse in ethics and whether or not the changes filed against her were for the good of the school district or just a political ploy.
***********************
Correction 10/29/15
It was previously stated that Jenna Minnuies Jackson was a teacher at Middletown High School North, she is not. Minnuies Jackson is a sports coach for the high school. Sorry if there was some confusion.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Middletown School Board Meeting Was Uneventful But Superintendent Bilbao Allowed To Leave Early
I was unable to attend last night's Middletown Board of Education meeting even though I had wanted to very much. I had a conflict in my schedule that just didn't allow me the time to make it. I was curious if anything would be mentioned about the rumoured BOE member, that has allegedly been ordered removed from the board by the State School Ethics Commission. Luckily though, I did have someone there who was able to report back to me on what happened.
From what I was told, it was a quiet and otherwise uneventful meeting that finished up early, with the big news of the night being that the BOE agreed to allow School Superintendent Karen Bilbao to leave her position within the district early. Bilbao is contractually obligated to stay on the job for 120 days after handing in her resignation, which she handed in on December 1st, but the school board waived that requirement and will allow her to leave on February 1st.
I was told that no real discussions took place at this meeting, on who would replaced Bilbao as Superintendent. As I see it, this could be a problem that I hope doesn't turn out to be something more significant.
With MTEA Union contract talks looming and the new 2% cap on property taxes that will kick in starting January 1st, it will be important to have some one who is experienced and knowledgeable leading the school district and formulation this years upcoming budget. At the moment there doesn't seem to be anyone currently capable of handling this.
I have heard from several people that the likely candidate to replace Karen Bilbao as Superintendent of Schools is James Stefankiewicz, the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum due to ties that he has within the Monmouth County Department of Education.
Whoever the new Superintendent is I hope that they are in place relatively soon, but only after a well thought out and intensive search for the best possible candidate. The upcoming year will be a challenging one for the Middletown school district and a truly qualified individual is needed to lead it.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Latest Rumor From The School Yard; Has A Current Member Of The Middletown Board Of Education Been Order Removed From Board?
Seeing how the last rumor from the school yard turned out to be true (the one about Middletown School Superintendent Karen Bilbao resigning), I think I should pass a long the latest rumor that I have recently heard.
It is one that I am a little leery to pass along at the moment because I haven't been able to confirm it, all of those that I have contacted have denied knowledge of it, but due to the circumstances of the rumor, I don't find it unusual that people are denying having any knowledge of it.
It is because of the sensitivity of this information that I need to be very careful about what I post and will not at this time, name those involved or what the particular circumstances are that surround those that are involved. I will only say that I trust the source that "leaked" the information to me, the source is extremely credible and I have no reason to doubt the source's integrity. In time, when the information is made public knowledge everyone will know the details.
So what have I heard that needs to remain such a mystery and that is so sensitive that I can't give many details at this moment? Well it happens to involve a sitting member of the Middletown Board of Education.
I have been told that earlier this year, a member of the BOE, had an ethics complaint filed against them with the NJ School Ethics Commission and from what I understand it is serious. So serious in fact, that the ethics commissioner on November 15th, ordered the removal of the of the board member from the Middletown Board of Eduction.
It is my understanding that the Middletown school board has 30 days from the time the decision was handed down to act upon it, which means that by the time of the next school board meeting Wednesday night December 15th, an announcement may be made. As of this moment however, no announcement has been made about this on either the NJ School Ethics Commission website or the NJ State Department of Education's website, so the announcement may not be made until sometime in January.
Until the information about this school board member is posted on either website, spokespeople from each agency have said that they can not answer any of my questions relating to this issue. Neither agency would even comment as to whether or not this board of ed member even had a pending case or an ethics complaint filed against them.
So if this rumor is true, everyone will have to wait until later this month or sometime in early January to find out who may need to be removed from the Middletown Board of Education.
It is one that I am a little leery to pass along at the moment because I haven't been able to confirm it, all of those that I have contacted have denied knowledge of it, but due to the circumstances of the rumor, I don't find it unusual that people are denying having any knowledge of it.
It is because of the sensitivity of this information that I need to be very careful about what I post and will not at this time, name those involved or what the particular circumstances are that surround those that are involved. I will only say that I trust the source that "leaked" the information to me, the source is extremely credible and I have no reason to doubt the source's integrity. In time, when the information is made public knowledge everyone will know the details.
So what have I heard that needs to remain such a mystery and that is so sensitive that I can't give many details at this moment? Well it happens to involve a sitting member of the Middletown Board of Education.
I have been told that earlier this year, a member of the BOE, had an ethics complaint filed against them with the NJ School Ethics Commission and from what I understand it is serious. So serious in fact, that the ethics commissioner on November 15th, ordered the removal of the of the board member from the Middletown Board of Eduction.
It is my understanding that the Middletown school board has 30 days from the time the decision was handed down to act upon it, which means that by the time of the next school board meeting Wednesday night December 15th, an announcement may be made. As of this moment however, no announcement has been made about this on either the NJ School Ethics Commission website or the NJ State Department of Education's website, so the announcement may not be made until sometime in January.
Until the information about this school board member is posted on either website, spokespeople from each agency have said that they can not answer any of my questions relating to this issue. Neither agency would even comment as to whether or not this board of ed member even had a pending case or an ethics complaint filed against them.
So if this rumor is true, everyone will have to wait until later this month or sometime in early January to find out who may need to be removed from the Middletown Board of Education.
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