Can trustees fix R.B. charter school?

It remains to be seen if the turmoil that has rocked the Red Bank Charter School board of trustees will be quelled in the wake of a spate of recent resignations, including that of board President Michael Stasi.

Can remaining trustees and new members of the board gather enough support to lead a refocusing of the school on its primary mission of educating children and instilling a love of learning within them?

If the charter school is to survive, it will take the cooperation of the school community, including parents, and a commitment to do the hard work of honest scrutiny and a willingness to make the changes called for by the state Department of Education.

Remaining board members and new trustees will have large issues to deal with, including the school’s excessive debt, adopting policies to ensure compliance with state regulations, untangling the school and the affairs of the Red Bank Charter School Foundation to name a few.

When the state released a report critical of some policies and actions by trustees on May 3, there were unsettling signs that change would not come easily.

Now that Stasi has not been re-elected, touching off resignations by three other trustees and the entire board of the foundation, remaining members of the board must seek candidates who are willing to face the problems those who have resigned contributed to.

As the search committee seeks board candidates, we suggest they approach Dr. Donald Warner.

The esteemed associate pastor of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Red Bank is also a highly regarded educator, having served as superintendent of the Red Bank Regional School District prior to his retirement.

Warner’s experience, impeccable credentials and record of achievement and standing in the community all argue that his contribution to righting what is wrong at the charter school would be formidable.

With luck, Dr. Warner, or other qualified candidates, will take up the challenge.