Gerlando Termini is a senior web application engineer at The CUNY Graduate Center. Born and raised in Italy, he received his MS in Computer Science from the University of Pisa. He lives in Randolph with his wife and two daughters and is passionate about public education.

In recent years, Randolph Schools have found themselves at a crossroads, facing numerous challenges that have cast a shadow over the entire educational community and the school district’s ability to educate our children. From being one of the last schools in Morris County to return to in-person learning following the pandemic and the attention our Board of Education’s actions around the Columbus Day debacle brought to our town to our abysmal test scores, our high property taxes (caused solely for several years by the school portion increasing), questionable spending, several lawsuits, climbing teacher attrition annually and repeated mistreatment of parents and staff by our Board and senior administrators, for many this is no longer the town we moved to when we moved here specifically for Randolph schools.

At the heart of these challenges lies the tenure of Mr. Stephen Frost as the Business Administrator, a position of vital importance in any school district. It is with deep concern for the betterment of our children, teachers, and the overall well-being of our learning community that we assert: It is time for Mr. Frost to step aside.

Mr. Frost’s journey within the Randolph school system has been marked by a series of decisions and actions that have left many parents and teachers feeling silenced, disheartened, and even intimidated. 

Let’s examine the chronicle of his tenure and the documented instances of his behavior that have raised serious questions about his leadership.

Salary Escalation: Mr. Frost’s rapid ascent in the district’s payroll, from Assistant Business Administrator to his current position, raises eyebrows. His hefty salary, now standing at $191,407 annually, places him among the highest-paid business administrators in Morris County, despite his relative lack of experience in the role.

Manipulative Tax Hikes: Mr. Frost’s ability to sway the Board of Education to raise property taxes beyond the 2% cap, when there is no need to and several Board members objected to it, has left residents questioning his financial stewardship.

Dubious Fees: The imposition of a $25 per device “insurance” fee on parents for school-mandated computers without proper licensing or insurance policies is a troubling example of a lack of transparency and due process.

Strained Relations: His contentious interactions with parents and staff have created a hostile atmosphere, undermining the essential trust between administrators and the community.

Legal Infractions: Instances of violating the Open Public Records and Meetings Acts, as well as potential legal matters regarding discrimination and retaliation, further erode confidence in his leadership.

Financial Mismanagement: Misallocation of resources, such as using COVID relief funds for non-essential projects like parking lots instead of addressing learning loss, reflects a misalignment of priorities.

Personnel Issues: The high turnover rate among employees, including key senior administrators, points to a problematic work environment under Mr. Frost’s supervision.

Neglect of Safety: Failure to respond adequately when school facilities lost power during a simultaneous outage is a reminder of the paramount importance of safety.

These documented incidents, among others, demonstrate a pattern of behavior that has undermined the educational environment in Randolph Schools. It is crucial to consider the impact on our children’s education and the well-being of our teachers.

As we move forward, it is incumbent upon all stakeholders in the Randolph Schools community to advocate for change. Attending the October 19, 2023, Board of Education meeting and contacting elected and state officials, including Senator Tony Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, New Jersey Department of Education Acting Commissioner Angelica Allen-McMillan and Morris County Executive Superintendent of Schools Nancy Gartenberg, is a proactive step towards addressing these concerns. Moreover, raising our voices collectively can help ensure that Randolph Schools remain a place where our children can thrive, and our educators can excel without fear or intimidation. 

It is not merely a desire for change that propels us forward, but a shared commitment to the principles of transparency, accountability, and excellence in education. It is time for Randolph Schools to embark on a new chapter, one that prioritizes the best interests of our children and the sanctity of our learning community. It is time for Mr. Stephen Frost to step aside and allow the district to chart a new course towards a brighter future.