Writer says former Howell mayor stood up for residents

On June 25, 2008, a letter to the editor printed by the News Transcript, a Greater Media newspaper, questioned a raise presented to retired Freehold Regional High School District Assistant Superintendent of Schools Frank J. Tanzini.

That seemingly innocuous inquiry, along with subsequent Open Public Records Access (OPRA) requests, unraveled the largest economic and academic fraud in the history of the district.

I would like to thank Managing Editor Mark Rosman, former Executive Editor Greg Bean and staff writer Rebecca Morton of your staff. Collectively, their reporting made this story one of the most read and intriguing for 2008. Since the story broke, profound changes within the FRHSD occurred:

• Superintendent of Schools James Wasser was stripped of his undeserved title of "Dr."

• Pay raises to five employees with fraudulent degrees were halted.

• Longtime board members were replaced by "anti-Wasser" candidates who have vowed not to renew his contract.

As for the politicians: I would like to thank former Mayor Joe DiBella of Howell. He was the only mayor in the FRHSD who had the gumption to demand that five FRHSD employees return their ill-gotten gains using fraudulent degrees.

State Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande of the 12th Legislative District, and a resident of the school district, failed to attend one Board of Education meeting despite my repeated requests for her to attend.

More work needs to be undertaken. I hope board members and local politicians whose seats are up next year take note of voters' anger and their demand for change from the status quo.
James Sage
Marlboro