When the Clowns Take Over: Hardyston's Policy 0174 Power Grab
Welcome to Hardyston’s latest episode of “what could possibly go wrong,” where Policy 0174 and unchecked legal spending take center stage.
Last month, Board President Donna Carey misled her fellow board members about the true implications of this policy, sparking public outrage. And instead of fixing the problem? The board leadership doubled down-expanding the policy even further to include the Vice President.
The issue isn’t the wording tweaks. It’s the glaring lack of full board oversight over legal spending-your money.
💰 How Much Has This Actually Cost the District?
It’s not hypothetical. It’s real dollars, real waste.
- Over $20,000 spent on legal bills tied directly to Donna Carey’s personal actions.
- $9,697.03 wasted just defending her against one ethics complaint-three times the effort it took for the original.
Makes you wonder: How guilty do you have to look for the defense to cost triple?
And it doesn’t stop there:
- After racking up those charges, Carey filed ethics complaints against two other board members.
- One was dismissed outright.
- The other? Still burning up taxpayer-funded legal hours-and dollars.
All while students and teachers are left wondering where the real priorities are.
📑 What Exactly is Policy 0174?
Originally, Policy 0174 only allowed the Superintendent and Business Administrator to call legal counsel.
But after some “creative edits,” now:
- First revision: Board President gets added.
- Latest revision: Throw in the Vice President, too.
On paper, it might look like a small “administrative update.”
In reality? It’s another step toward less accountability and more unchecked spending.
🔎 The Real Problem: Zero Transparency in Legal Spending
Here’s what’s actually happening:
- Legal consultations and bills can pile up-without broader board discussion or approval.
- Most board members have no idea when lawyers are being used, how often, or why.
- There’s no system ensuring legal fees reflect the board’s real priorities-or fiscal common sense.
And with education costs rising everywhere, every wasted dollar matters.
🔹 Donna Carey’s Pattern: Say One Thing, Do Another
During the first round of debates, Carey told everyone Policy 0174 changes wouldn’t lead to runaway legal bills.
(Spoiler: they did.)
Instead of correcting course? Leadership doubled down by expanding the policy even further.
Some very real questions remain:
- Why didn’t they add full board oversight instead of more unchecked power?
- Who benefits from limiting visibility into legal expenses?
- And how can taxpayers have any faith their money isn’t being quietly burned?
🤔 How Long Before Carey Targets This News Organization Too?
Given her history of retaliatory complaints-and her sensitivity to criticism-it wouldn’t exactly be shocking if Carey tries to silence the very people holding her accountable next.
Because if there’s one thing she’s been consistent about, it’s using taxpayer dollars to fight political battles, not build better schools.
📊 The Community Deserves Better
Hardyston residents deserve honest transparency when it comes to how public funds are handled.
Instead of expanding unchecked power, the Board should be:
- Adding financial safeguards
- Demanding full disclosures
- Focusing on students, not personal turf wars
🔧 What You Can Do
Want to fix this mess? Here’s where you come in:
- ✅ Attend the next Board of Education meeting
- ✅ Demand a full accounting of all legal expenses
- ✅ Push for real oversight rules (like requiring board votes for legal spending above a certain amount)
- ✅ Hold these board members accountable at election time
Our schools-and our tax dollars-deserve better leadership. Period.
📢 Do you think the Board should have full oversight on legal expenditures? Show up at the next meeting and make your voice heard!