The school board defended its selection process, but made no decision who will head the district.
Written over the entrance to the all-purpose room too small for the crowd were positive traits to which students at Phillpsburg Middle School should aspire. Respect. Responsibility.
In the center, in bold, was a message: "Character counts."
"That's the key word," Rick Thompson told the town's school board, to applause. "Character counts. And it always will."
That's why, he said, he supports Greg Troxell to lead the Phillipsburg School District as its next superintendent.
Hundreds of residents sharing his opinion packed the room Monday night, several left to stand in the corners or just outside. Some had to park more than a block away. A number brought signs to wave. And many spoke over the course of the four-hour school board meeting.
Teachers: P'burg ignoring choice for superintendent
Parents, teachers, current and former students, elected officials from the surrounding communities -- all praised Troxell, a P'burg graduate who has served as a teacher and administrator who they said should lead the district of 3,500 students and a $127.5 million high school.
They told stories of Troxell's well-known enthusiasm for school activities, which is not limited to sports. Students had nicknames for him -- "D-Trox" and "the Trox" among those stated -- because, they said, he took the time to learn their names and interests.
And, amid allegations of political games, many questioned why the board is allegedly not considering him to lead the district.
"It is bewildering to me and many that he was not considered for the superintendent position," one woman said. She continued, addressing board President Tom McGuire: "You said you're looking for the best candidate? He's sitting two seats to the left of you."
The board did not take any action after a late closed-door session, and the meeting adjourned at 11 p.m.
Greg Troxell, speaks to his last graduating class as principal of Phillipsburg High School in 2015. He became assistant superintendent that year. (Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com) The school board still needs to find a replacement soon if a full-time hire is to be in place July 1, when current Superintendent George Chando retires. It is customary for administrators to provide 60 days notice to their current employers.
The Phillipsburg Education Association urged people to attend Monday's meeting in a letter to members last week that accused the board of blocking input from staff and residents from the selection process in favor of an unnamed political influence.
The district advertised the superintendent's position early this year and received at least 10 applications. Board members last week said their selection committee had narrowed the search to three finalists. It was not clear if Troxell -- the only candidate identified publicly so far -- was among them.
McGuire defended the board's selection process in a prepared statement read during the meeting.
"Nothing has been done in secret," the board president said. "For individuals to misconstrue the confidential process ... is not only wrong but offensive."
EDITORIAL: Secrecy shrouds selection process
The school board's attorney, Jeff Russo, explained the legal guidelines that formed the selection committee. Board members who may have a conflict of interest, such as a relative who works in the district, are automatically excluded from the committee. In this case, that is half the 12-member board. However, the remaining members do not constitute a voting majority, so while they can recommend a candidate, it will be up to the full board to vote on the next superintendent.
The teachers union said input from anyone outside the board's selection committee has not been accepted. In the union's letter, it accuses a "political influence of a (singular) special interest" of having "infiltrated" the board via campaigns, under a deal that asks board members "deny the best candidate the seat they have earned."
PEA President Greg Babbitt on Monday publicly asked why outside input was excluded. He did not get an answer.
Phillipsburg Superintendent George Chando is retiring at the end of June. (Saed Hindash | For lehighvalleylive.com)The current superintendent, George Chando, informed the board last summer of his intention to retire when his contract expires at the end of June. The 63-year-old started as a teacher in the district in 1975 and worked his way through the ranks until he was named superintendent in 2012 with a five-year contract.
Troxell has a similar background -- he graduated Phillipsburg High School in 1990, and has worked there as a teacher and administrator. He became high school principal in 2009 and assistant superintendent in 2015.
Troxell's supporters referred to him as "a Phillipsburg lifer" who understands their traditions, and as someone who takes a vested interest in individual students.
"I hold public office," Pohatcong Township Mayor James Kern III told the school board. "I understand the difficult decisions you need to make. This is not one of them."
Stories abounded about Troxell's character. Through it all, he sat stoically reserved. Occasionally he cracked a smile, even chuckled at an anecdote a few times. But more often, with each new speaker he listened, clenched his jaw, swallowed and looked down to jot notes.
Afterward, a diplomatic Troxell offered only a brief comment to lehighvalleylive.com, saying that everyone is passionate about the same thing -- making the school district better.
Some residents who spoke said they will remember who on the board doesn't support him when the inevitable vote to hire comes.
"We all believe the Garnet and Gray. We're all lifers here. We must not let politics get involved," the last speaker said to cheers.
"We'll remember who not to vote for," he concluded, pointing at the school board has he walked from the podium.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.