N.J.S.A. 10:4-7. Legislative findings and declaration
The Legislature finds and declares that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies,
and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies,
is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process; that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public’s effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society, and hereby declares it to be the public policy of this State to insure the right of its citizens to have adequate advance notice of and the right to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon in any way except only in those circumstances where otherwise the public interest would be clearly endangered or the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals would be clearly in danger of unwarranted invasion.
N.J.S.A. 10:4-11. Failure to invite portion of members to circumvent provisions of act; prohibition
No person or public body shall fail to invite a portion of its members to a meeting for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this act.
The same thing happened in Marlboro Township. The superintendent, Dr. Hibbs, requested police presence for all meetings and this was permitted without consideration by the BOE and without a BOE VOTE! It is quite an expense! And they are having trouble finding money to have police in our schools to protect children for the before and after care!
Apparently the Bridgewater superintendent wants to hire his own security to police the schools. Why won't he work with BR police? The serious issue is that should there be an emergency, apparently under the law, his security people are not legally allowed to confront the perpetrator (s), putting the children and teachers at risk. . He is even refusing to communicate with BR police and the mayor. Where is getting the funds to hire this supposed security team ?
https://njfog.org/opma/
N.J.S.A. 10:4-7. Legislative findings and declaration
The Legislature finds and declares that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of public bodies,
and to witness in full detail all phases of the deliberation, policy formulation, and decision making of public bodies,
is vital to the enhancement and proper functioning of the democratic process; that secrecy in public affairs undermines the faith of the public in government and the public’s effectiveness in fulfilling its role in a democratic society, and hereby declares it to be the public policy of this State to insure the right of its citizens to have adequate advance notice of and the right to attend all meetings of public bodies at which any business affecting the public is discussed or acted upon in any way except only in those circumstances where otherwise the public interest would be clearly endangered or the personal privacy or guaranteed rights of individuals would be clearly in danger of unwarranted invasion.
N.J.S.A. 10:4-11. Failure to invite portion of members to circumvent provisions of act; prohibition
No person or public body shall fail to invite a portion of its members to a meeting for the purpose of circumventing the provisions of this act.
'nough said...
Great article Nik! This is totally on point!!
The same thing happened in Marlboro Township. The superintendent, Dr. Hibbs, requested police presence for all meetings and this was permitted without consideration by the BOE and without a BOE VOTE! It is quite an expense! And they are having trouble finding money to have police in our schools to protect children for the before and after care!
SPOT ON, NIK!!!
Kudos to you for fighting back. I hope the parents in Mantua do the same. Not only is this wrong, it is a waste of precious police resources.
Apparently the Bridgewater superintendent wants to hire his own security to police the schools. Why won't he work with BR police? The serious issue is that should there be an emergency, apparently under the law, his security people are not legally allowed to confront the perpetrator (s), putting the children and teachers at risk. . He is even refusing to communicate with BR police and the mayor. Where is getting the funds to hire this supposed security team ?
He's getting the funds from your BOE and taking funds from your school budget.