Teaneck school board postpones decision on placing superintendent on leave
TEANECK — The Board of Education voted to table a decision on placing its superintendent on leave at a special meeting Wednesday.
The proposal will be discussed further at a future meeting, according to Board President Sebastian Rodriguez.
The 11:15 p.m. vote ended a three-hour meeting during which 34 residents and associates addressed the board in person or via Zoom, nearly all in support of Christopher Irving.
"We needed a pre-K program? Done. A three-year plan? Done," said parent Rebecca Alston. "If he was good enough for a five-year contract, why isn't he good enough now?" Irving, initially hired under a twothree-year contract, inked a five-year pact with the district in 2020.
But former trustees Howard Rose and Clara Williams urged the audience to "put your faith and trust in these people" on the board.
"When you have seven adults who are elected to a position on the Board of Education you have to have some confidence in their ability that the majority of the vote that makes the decision is the best decision that can be made," Rose said.
Speakers repeatedly asked for details of Irving's performance that would lead the board to place him on leave, but board attorney Philip Stern cautioned the audience that under state law personnel issues were limited to closed-door executive sessions.
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Irving, now 38, was considered an unconventional choice when he was hired in July 2018. He had never taught in a classroom, but had spent time as head of the Passaic County Workforce Development Board and director of the Ceceilyn Miller Institute for Leadership and Diversity in America.
He was serving as interim executive Passaic County superintendent of schools when he was hired by Teaneck, having previously served eight years on Paterson's Board of Education, most of them as president.
Irving has a bachelor's degree in political science from Ramapo College, a master's in public policy and international affairs from William Paterson University and a doctorate in education leadership and administration from Seton Hall University.
Irving was hired with a two-year contract in July 2018, and was awarded a five-year contract at its conclusion in 2020. If the board must pay Irving's full salary and benefits for the remaining four years, his contract costs would total $820,601.
Irving's contract provides for termination if he fails to possess proper certification or if that certification is revoked or suspended; in case of forfeiture for conviction of a crime; by mutual agreement of the parties; or by notice in writing by the board to Irving "at least 150 calendar days prior to the expiration of this contract."
However, there are no performance-related conditions for his 2% raises or termination conditions related to performance in the five-year contract. Irving's 2% annual salary increases are not tied to quantitative or qualitative goals.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the length of Christopher Irving's first contract. It was for three years.
Marsha Stoltz is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: stoltz@northjersey.com
Twitter: @marsha_stoltz
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Teaneck schools postpone vote on superintendent Chris Irving
