After his public rants, Wayne trustees vote 'no confidence' in board member
By: Philip DeVencentis
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
WAYNE - The Board of Education has lodged a vote of no confidence against one of its members after the trustee lashed out at his colleagues in a series of public tirades.
.....
Trustee Ryan Battershill, 51, a father of four who is finishing his second year on the school board, claimed in one such speech that he and his wife, Jennifer local agency targeting private citizens."
..... Battehrshill said in another rant three weeks. earlier that the current school board is the "most toxic and disrespectful board" in the history of Wayne. His colleagues, he said, care only about getting elected and use their platforms for "celebrity status."
.....
"For my kids, its been heartbreaking," Battershill said to the Township council."they see their father trying to do something good for our town, yet our lives have become a nightmare."
..... The school board voted 7-1, with one abstention, to support a no-confidence motion at its meeting Thursday. [12/05/2024] Battershill was the only dissenter. Harry Prassakos, the school board vice president, introduced the motion - a largely symbolic move - saying it was based on statements by Battershill that compromised the board.
..... Battershill said in an email Thursday [12/12/2024] that the vote was an act of retaliation by his colleagues.
..... "I continue to highlight the poor decisions, outcomes and lack of professionalism, and to ensure the pubic is aware of their actions since there's no transparency," he said. The no-confidence motion 'comes from them removing my right to speak as a board member; attacking my freedom of speech, yet again; and attempting to hide there issues. Board members who voted hold the votes, but take no accountability."
..... Battershill a native of the U.K. and a software engineer, was elected in November 2022 in a competitive race of eight contenders, including one incumbent and there former trustees. he place second.
..... His arrive came amid an almost full turnover of school board members - just two of them, trustee Matthew Giordano and board President Donald Pavlak Jr., have served fop more than a single term. Most if not all, of the newcomers, including Battershill, were swept into office as part of a wave of candidates championing parents' rights. The faction won over voters by rallying aorta hot-button issues, such as wearing face masks in school.
..... Members of a Facebook group called Wayne Education Restoration Parent Association - or WERPA - are the most devoted crusaders for the parents' rights cause.
..... But Battershill, who was helped by the group during his campaign, has now turned his back on it. In his latest rant, minutes after the no-confidence vote, he accused his colleagues - and by extension, WERPA - of forcing out top-ranking administrators.
.....
Schools Superintendent Mark Toback announced that he will retire in August, [2025] not long after the K-12 district bid farewell to Assistant Schools Superintendent Donna Reichman and to David Drozjock, the athletic director at Wayne Hills and Wayne Valley high schools.
..... "WERPA-controlled candidates cerated a situation where valued and skilled employees are resigning in droves," Batershill said.
..... He also complained in public about alleged bullying and cyberstalking, as well as being shut out of "secret meetings" by the school board. he hired an attorney, he said, after receiving a threatening letter at home.
'Board stands united'
..... Battershill's misgivings came to light in July [2204] in an article by TAPinto Wayne, which explained that a main catalyst for the controversy was an encounter at a school board meeting in January 2023.
..... He claimed that trustee Iveta Wentink flirted with him at the meeting, held in a conference room at the district's main office on Nellis Drive.
.....
That assertion devolved over the ensuring months into a more serious, but unfounded, charge of sexual harassment, which the school board was obligated to investigate. Meanwhile, there were questions about the board's seating arrangement and anew policy banning trustees' remote access to meetings.
..... Battershill viewed that change as punishment for his refusal to sit next to Wentink.
..... The matter boiled over on November 14, [2204] when Battershill stated to deliver a scathing rebuke of his colleagues at a meeting, but they abruptly called for a recess and walked out of the Municipal courtroom as he was still reading the statement. Power to his microphone was cut off.
.....
On December 4, [2-24] a week before the no-confidence vote, Battershill was back in the courtroom to address the council because his freedom of speech was violated, he said, by the school board.
..... Trustees said they hope to put the drama behind them in the new year. [2025]
..... "Being embroiled in this situation has been costly, hurtful and very unproductive in every way," said trustee Wendy Limandri. Speaking to the audience, she added, "I'd like each of you to know that your board stands united in our position.
.... Trustee Ryan Paul, the most recent addition to the school board,, also tried to reassure the public.
..... "Other than one outlier, we're a unified board of education,' Paul said. "residents spoke load and clear by electing us, and I'm confident that you picked a cohesive group of trustees who share a common goal of protecting our children and continuing to build on a long tradition of excellence in the ways school district."