West Middlesex Area Schools Superintendent Al Jones said Monday critics of the school board's teacher-hiring process "demeans the integrity" of administrators and "casts a cloud" over the new hires.

At a July 10 school board meeting, Robin Fette, 32, of Shenango Township questioned the hiring process and asked if directors had ever seen prospective teachers' credentials, including her own.

Mrs. Fette said she thinks the board is not hiring the best candidates and board President Tom Hubert expressed the same concern.

Jones said Monday he wanted to state "for the record" that administrators followed the hiring policy when selecting and recommending teacher candidates to the school board.

That policy includes a combination of credentials, interviews, experience and teaching a simulated lesson, he said. The board makes the final decision on whom to hire.

"The very best candidates were hired," Jones said of three elementary teachers and a secondary math teacher.

Mrs. Fette, who was a substitute teacher in the district during 2000-01, said she wasn't even given the opportunity to go before the board. She said the board should be given an opportunity to see the credentials of all applicants.

Directors said although they do not routinely see the credentials of teachers they hire, their credentials are available for their review at any time.

The hiring process is overseen by Jones, Director of Curriculum Jane Martin and the principals of the schools where positions are open. After a second interview, applicants teach a "practice class" for board members, who then meet behind closed doors with the administration to discuss applicants.

Directors generally go along with the administration's recommendation, Hubert said earlier.

No one, including Hubert, commented on the matter Monday.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharon-herald.com