Hardyston BOE Sends Off Alfano and Barrett with Praise - The Public Moves On

At the Tuesday, December 9, 2025 meeting, Board President Donna Carey gave a farewell speech for outgoing members Tony Alfano and Jean Barrett.

What followed was heavy on applause lines and broad claims - while many residents seemed ready to turn the page.

The send-off speech

Carey described Barrett as a leader on “parents’ rights,” “honest and open communication,” and keeping curriculum “focused on what was most important” for Hardyston families. She credited Barrett with helping deliver changes such as:

• posting curriculum materials online
• notifying families ahead of time and allowing opt-outs
• creating “fair surveys” so “everyone” could have a voice
• removing or changing policies that “went against our values”

Carey then praised Alfano as “fierce,” “unapologetic,” and vigilant on finances - “guarding every single dollar like it belonged to your own family” - and claimed he pursued results tied to issues like chronic absenteeism and program improvements.

It was an energetic tribute.

It was also remarkably short on specifics.

Big claims, small receipts

The problem isn’t that farewell speeches are positive. It’s when emotion replaces evidence.

If the accomplishments are real, they should be easy to point to in measurable, public-facing outcomes:

• What academic indicators moved because of these policy shifts?
• What absenteeism metrics changed because of Board action (not administrative enforcement)?
• What spending cuts were implemented, and what did they save?
• What programs were expanded, and what was the documented impact?

Instead, the speech offered a familiar style of résumé-building: sweeping statements, flattering adjectives, and zero numbers.

“Transparency” as a talking point

Carey highlighted curriculum visibility and parent notifications as major wins.

But residents know that “transparency” can mean two very different things:

1. making information easier to access, and
2. manufacturing controversy to keep people angry

The last three years were often less about access to information - and more about using information as fuel.

Fiscal responsibility isn’t a vibe

Alfano was praised for fiscal discipline. Yet “fiscal responsibility” isn’t measured by intensity, volume, or how often someone says the words “taxpayers.”

It’s measured by:

• understanding the budget
• planning for future obligations
• avoiding structural gaps
• making decisions that don’t dump liabilities onto the next board

A finance narrative built on speeches instead of planning is not fiscal responsibility - it’s branding.

Governance by performance

The most telling part of the evening wasn’t the praise.

It was that the most meaningful moments had nothing to do with outgoing board members at all:

• recognizing student standouts
• celebrating staff contributions
• straightforward updates from administration
• tangible facility improvements already in motion

The district’s progress is driven primarily by educators, administrators, and staff doing daily work - not by board members taking victory laps.

The public reaction: moving on

Some residents will miss Alfano and Barrett. Many will not.

What was obvious Tuesday night - even in a room without a crowd - is that a significant portion of the community is ready to move forward without:

• performative politics at the dais
• policy churn sold as “values”
• constant conflict masquerading as leadership

The Board will continue. The schools will continue. The community will continue.

And now Hardyston gets the rarest thing in local governance:

a chance to lower the volume and raise the standard.

Closing

Carey ended her remarks with holiday wishes and thanks to staff and families.

The public’s message - spoken or unspoken - was simpler:

Thank you for serving. Thank you for deciding not to run again. And good luck on your next chapter.

Especially the part where you’re not voting on our schools anymore.