BARNEGAT BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULAR MEETING October ...

Mr. Coronato: Mr. Laufgas, let me just say, if you are referring to a particular individual
you really can’t discuss that employee. What you can do is if you have concerns about
that is you can put it into a letter address it to the Board and then the Board would take
the appropriate action.
Mr. Laufgas: Oh you mean you want an OPRA request?
Mr. Coronato: No, no, no, it does not have to be an OPRA request. If you have concerns
about any particular employee you just put it in writing and then you are voicing your
concerns. You as a citizen have a right to voice a concern about any employee.
Mr. Laufgas: I understand that.
Mr. Coronato: And you can submit it to the Board, you just can’t discuss it in public.
Mr. Laufgas: I understand certain things we have to keep quiet.
Mr. Coronato: No, no, no, you have to understand that the employee has rights. It is not
really if that employee wanted to come in and relinquish their rights, and say, yes I do not
mind the public discussing it, then at that point the Board would be free to do so. But
you know, you have to understand Mr. Laufgas, and you should know better than
anybody else, that everybody has rights in this world and certainly even the person you
are accusing has rights. So, therefore, if you are going to accuse somebody or you are
going to make comments about somebody, the appropriate way to do it is to send in a
letter and let it go through the normal channels and you may be right. There is a right
way to do it and a wrong way to do it and in this instance, if you make a comment about
somebody and they are not here to address it, it is basically unfair. The court system has
indicated that.
Mr. Laufgas: OK, counselor, do you want that in an OPRA request how much we are
paying for those lawyers.
Mr. Coronato: It does not have to be an OPRA request, all it has to be is a letter and your
letter can express what your concerns are and it is….
Mr. Laufgas: Will they give me an answer?
Mr. Coronato: I think at that time when it is sent to the Board the Board will respond to
you, the answer is yes, you are entitled to an answer.
Mr. Laufgas: I am very stubborn, take my word for it. The reason why I want this school
to pay for the shoes is that you were very proud of the young lady that won the State
Championship in pole vaulting. I think she is sitting in the back, I think she is hiding by
now. Well, you were very proud and I think the school should pay for the shoes for all
the athletes because when the football team wins you are out there yelling and screaming
look what we did; well you have to help them. You pay enough for lawyers, our children
Barnegat Township Board of Education Regular Meeting – October 29, 2007 14