Bon appétit

Certain behavior is permissible for public officials, by law, but still qualifies as outrageous.

One example is when elected officials accept monetary campaign donations from individuals or firms that do business with the governing body on which they sit.

The guys and gals in the State Legislature – shining examples of moral clarity that they are – long ago decided that these campaign donations are legal, to a point. The donors have to adhere to amount and frequency limits.

Those legislators choose to ignore the way Joe Public views these donations. Most voters see them as a payoff to ensure that government business gets steered to specific contractors. It creates horrendous optics. The state politicos who allow this money-grab and candidates who participate choose to wear blinders.

The Middlesex Borough Board of Education and its top administrators have had their own optics problem. Before at least some public meetings, they have eaten takeout dinners on the public’s dime. Not that long ago, the district administration acknowledged the food had been paid for by taxpayers.

At a recent meeting, chafing dishes were lined up on a table. They sat atop a festive Blue Jay blue table cloth. Inside – Middlesex wasn’t present, but we were forwarded a photo.

We asked School Superintendent Dr. Roberta Freeman about the takeout meals months ago. At that time, she explained that under state policy, they are permissible for board members and school officials who are unable to eat dinner elsewhere prior to a meeting.

“Many board members come directly from work to fulfill their responsibilities, volunteering their time to serve the school community,” Freeman said back in February. “Providing a modest meal ensures they can fully engage in the meeting without the added challenge of coordinating a meal between work and their board duties.”

In in the interest of fairness, we attempted to revisit the issue with Dr. Freeman. On Monday, Sept. 29, we emailed her the photo that accompanies this post and asked for a simple yes or no answer. That question being, did taxpayers pay for the contents of these chafing dishes? If so, we invited her to comment on the matter.

As we publish this post more than three days later, Dr. Freeman has yet to respond to our inquiry. Some would say that suggests taxpayers are continuing to pay for pre-school-board meeting takeout. We’ll give the benefit of a doubt and not jump to that conclusion. Another one that we have no problem drawing, however, is that the current district administration dislikes answering questions.

Like the above-mentioned campaign donations, pre-meeting takeout food for board members and school officials is allowable. But it’s hard to accept the message it sends if taxpayers foot the bill. These takeout dinners might not be pricey, but ignore the reality that some constituents struggle to pay their property taxes. 

School administrators – most making six-figure salaries – have to hit up taxpayers for free dinners?

Taxpayer-funded eats ignore the fact that there’s another easy way to ensure board members and administrators are not starving at meetings. Why not start the sessions a bit later instead of the ridiculously early time of 6 p.m.?

The mayor and Borough Council start their meetings at 7 p.m. They don’t get taxpayer-funded meals beforehand. From our observation, they eat at home or somewhere else beforehand.

As mentioned, the superintendent has been asked about this previously. There was also at least one pointed comment about the takeout meals from a Middlesex Education Association member during a public meeting a few months ago.

If taxpayer-funded takeout is continuing, it demonstrates a defiant attitude on the part of the district’s administration. We suggest that board members avoid these “free” meals, if offered, and quietly demonstrate to administrators that they aren’t necessary.

Of course, some school officials may continue to partake simply because they can. If so, we will continue to call them out publicly, simply because we can.

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