Attendance Record Questioned, ‘Disrespected’ Vet Plans to Remain

COURT HOUSE — What is the definition of member “attendance” at school board meetings? Does it mean physically present? Does teleconference count? Is one equal to the other? There is no clear answer.
A two-term Middle Township Board of Education member, who is a disabled Navy Vietnam veteran, believes he is being “disrespected” by a peer who, he believes, wants him off the board because of sporadic physical meeting attendance.
That fellow board member told the Herald he carries no grudge; but cited a board bylaw on member attendance, which outlines how a member may be removed if three meetings in a row are missed without “good” cause.
The member in question believes he has solid reasons for meeting absences.
The issue erupted at the Thur., Sept. 16 Middle Township Board of Education meeting when Andre Hodges attended in a power chair and used oxygen to breathe. He was accompanied by his wife, Gloria, retired high school guidance director, also in a power chair. He told the board he attends when he is able.
Hodges suffers ill effects of Agent Orange after being exposed to a cloud of the toxic chemical while in the Gulf of Tonkin aboard USS Agerholm (DD-826) during a tour of duty in the mid-1960s, according to him.
Hodges said he reaffirmed to the board that he was voted to his seat by the people of the district, and he fully intends to remain and complete his term, which ends in April 2011.
In the 2008 school election in which three seats were open, Hodges received 477 votes. Others who ran in that election were Dennis Roberts, 503, and Anthony Anzelone, 474.
Hodges said he may have to attend meetings telephonically due to his health, but he would be present in that manner.
Hodges told the Herald his mind is alert although he is physically limited.
George DeLollis, who raised the matter, told the Herald, “One board member can’t act alone. We have not taken any steps to remove him (Hodges).”
“I listened to them (Hodges). I responded to them minimally. They see this as an attack. That is not my intent. I just believe board members have a responsibility to be active board members,” said DeLollis.
He admitted that he did not have a perfect attendance record, but added, “My attendance is very good. From my perspective I delivered to the voters what they expect, and I am engaged and involved.”
According to Hodges, board President Calvin Back was supportive, as was the majority of the board. Back reassured Hodges he could continue on the board, physically or by teleconference as necessary, due to his health.
“He (Back) said ‘You are to finish out your term until April. If you should run again, if the people vote you back on the board, you are to be on the board in the same capacity,’” said Hodges.
Back could not be reached for comment.
The bylaw that pertains to a board member’s removal states, “A member who fails to attend three consecutive regular meetings of the board without good cause may be removed from office on the affirmative votes of a majority of the remaining board members provided that:
1. The member’s removal was proposed at the immediately previous board meeting.
2. Notice of the proposed removal was given to the affected member at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the vote will be taken.”
DeLollis said Hodges has not been present at numerous committee meetings from July 2009 to June 2010, both committee and board sessions. DeLollis also said that while Hodges may have voted via telephone at those meetings, he recalled little, if any, input being voiced.
According to Superintendent Michael Kopakowski, who personally reviewed committee and meeting minutes from July 2009 until June 2010, there were 20 meetings. Of those, Hodges was physically present at five and absent for 15, although he participated by telephone in seven of those meetings.
Kopakowski said when Hodges participated by telephone, he did not participate in executive, or closed sessions, only in the public portion of those meetings.
The superintendent said no policy exists to specify that telephone “attendance” is the same as physical presence.
The Herald also reviewed minutes, available on the district website, for this year. Hodges was absent January, February, March, and August.
Those three missed meetings this year were due to illness, according to Gloria Hodges.
“From what I can tell he is not in attendance at committee meetings,” said DeLollis. “When I looked at his attendance (for Building and Grounds Committee) his attendance was one out of 10 over the last year or so.”
“It is crystal clear he is having trouble serving on the board. I understand it’s because of his health,” DeLollis said. Because of that, DeLollis believes the board should “ask him to examine his role.”
Since Hodges’ health condition may be prolonged, DeLollis said, “We should ask him to identify his role to himself and us, and his continued ability to serve. That, to me, is a long way from stating outright that I would make an effort to remove him from the board.”
“The message I said is that he should examine his role and his ability to serve, and make a decision that is good for the district and voters as well as for him,” DeLolllis said.
In Gloria Hodges’ opinion, the entire matter and appearing before the board at the Sept. 16 meeting was “a little humbling for us.”
“I voiced my concern that this person (DeLollis) was very insensitive,” she said. It took a great deal of stamina on her husband’s part to attend the meeting in his condition, she said.
“We want to emphasize, why aren’t disabled veterans respected more?” Gloria Hodges asked.
Andre Hodges retired from the Special Services School District as a teacher of the handicapped. He was employed there for 20 years, from 1988 until 2008.
He was widely recognized for work he and his family did with the Interdenominational Outreach Choir, which existed for 25 years. It consisted of children of all races and communities throughout the county. The Hodges owned a bus, which Andre drove, that carried that choir throughout the East from New York to North Carolina.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com