Calling them a “clique”referring to present interim school board chosen by members of the three boards of education rather than elected by voters, a group known as Hudson Kids First is supporting three Highlands residents for the board of election.
The group sent out letters to residents in both Highlands and Atlantic Highlands this week supporting their candidates in the November 5 election.
Hudson Kids First, with Donica Basinger as chairperson, Philip Spatola as treasurer and Arthur Gallagher as political director, sent the two-page letter citing two issues that their candidates feel have failed both the borough’s taxpayers and students.
The letter, entitled “Break Up the Clique! pointed out every one of the incumbents on the board appointed in July awarded a five year, one million dollar contract to its superintendent, including a telephone, travel expenses and other perks.
The letter also indicated that because of the board’s vote, administration at Henry Hudson Regional “are paid on a par with those of much larger and more complex regional districts, and described Henry Hudson regional district, with its three schools in two towns, as one of the smaller regional districts in the state.
The Hudson Kids First committee also took issue with the incumbent board’s failure to taxpayers and students by thwarting voters from voting on a referendum to include Sea Bright in the district, saying “they had indulged in and exacerbated the obstacles to a referendum, rather than working cooperatively with the boroughs to overcome obstacles.”
“They say they are for regionalization, but their actions have been contrary to their rhetoric,” the letter states.
Highlands and Sea Bright do have a question on the November ballot seeking the taxpayers’ opinion on whether Sea Bright should be included in the district with Highlands and Atlantic Highlands.
Atlantic Highlands chose not to put the opinion-seeking question on the ballot after the mayor indicated such a vote would be “frivolous.”
“Our kids and the taxpayers who pay for the schools deserve a board comprised of hardworking independent thinkers who will do the research and set the policies that will deliver the best possible educational opportunities at the most efficient costs, “the letter continued.
Hudson Kids First made it clear they support Suzanne Thomas, a lifelong borough resident, retired school nurse and former member of the Highlands school board who is running for the three year term, Gina Melnyk, a former teacher and former school board member who the letter describes as a candidate who “does her homework and speaks her mind to power.”. and Kevin Ege, a finance professional running with ‘Accountability” as his slogan, running for the two one-year terms.
Rebecca Wells and Diane Knox are unopposed for election to the two two-year terms open in November, so, barring a surprise write-in campaign they are expected to win the two seats.
The three candidates strongly supported by Hudson Kids First in Highlands, the letter continued, “are committed to improving our kids’ educational opportunities, reducing the burden on property taxpayers and overcoming the obstacles to regionalization with Sea Bright.” They urge sending a strong message to members of “the Clique” by not casting any ballot for the unopposed candidates for the two year terms since “they are going to be elected anyway with just their friends and families’ vote” .
“Let’s elect thoughtful independent leaders to the board of education, “the Hudson Kids First team urged, adding the message should also be sent to the administration and the incumbents that “we want the best education possible for Hudson kids…we want state money and the revenue that Sea Bright would contribute through regionalization.” What they do not want, the letter concluded, “are excuses or rubber stamp board members.”
Hudson Kids First, which is not affiliated with any candidate or candidate committee, identified itself as an independent political committee that paid for the letter and mailing, reminded residents of the importance of voting November 5 since it is “the first opportunity to vote for members of the newly formed Henry Hudson Regional School District.
Highlands voters have the opportunity to name five members to the new board with terms of one, two and three years, while Atlantic Highlands has the opportunity to elect four members to the new nine-member board, with similar staggered terms. Candidates for the three-year terms in both communities are unopposed.
Vote Hudsons Bright Future Candidates for the
Henry Hudson PK-12 Regional Board of Education
I am speaking for myself and not for the current transition Board of Education or members of the board. I am a member of that transition board. I am running for a one year term on the board to continue to help the district through regionalization process.
I received a mass-mailing letter from a committee called “Hudson Kids First” that was filled with errors and misunderstanding about the new Regional District’s current board members. Please let me address this letter piece by piece.
1) We are accused of voting together as a clique on all agenda items. For a number of issues, the board members engage with the superintendent, consultants, our attorneys and others. We discuss these issues with them and among ourselves. Our board president clearly states this at the opening of every board meeting. Behind the scenes we may debate, but in public we appear unified. See the statement below that the president of the board reads at each meeting.
2) The authors of the letter appear ignorant of the role of board members. Our primary role is to oversee the superintendent. We are not expected to research policies. We are tasked to listen to the superintendent and her experts on policies (e.g., consultants, lawyers, teachers, administrators) probe, discuss, ask questions, and then make decisions. That is clearly emphasized in the State of New Jersey’s required course for first year board members. Perhaps the authors are not aware of that. Yes- all board members are required to take State-mandated courses.
I am insulted by the authors stating that we are not hard working. I have spent many hours since January 2022 in finance committee meetings, regionalization meetings, tri-district meetings, teachers contract meetings, and Henry Hudson board meetings. The other board members work at least as hard as I do. And- we are all volunteers and freely give of our valuable time.
3) The authors are apparently ignorant of the facts surrounding Henry Hudson and Sea Bright. My sense is that they may have been misled by Sea Bright’s attorney on this matter. The result- lawsuits against the town of Highlands, Sea Bright and our school district by the Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts. This has even led the Highlands Council President and the town of Highlands to sue Henry Hudson!
I will seriously consider bringing the 35-40 Sea Bright students into our district if- and only if- the Department of Education allows Sea Bright Students to withdraw from the Oceanport and Shore Regional school districts. Only then would I agree to ask Henry Hudson to petition the Department of Education to allow Highlands, Atlantic Highlands, and Sea Bright to hold a special referendum to join the district. Each of the three communities must pass the referendum to be successful. There must be a funding formula with the referendum to determine how the towns pay for the school budget levy on taxpayers. Without a favorable funding formula resulting in lower school taxes to taxpayers in all three communities, the referendum would likely be defeated.
4) Dr. Beams contract: We are fortunate to have Dr. Beams as our superintendent in this tiny regional district. I have observed and worked with her for nearly three years in dozens of meetings, phone calls, and emails. It would be a great loss to our community if Dr. Beams was hired away. For sure, she would have no problem finding a higher paying position in a much larger district. Now that we are regionalized, she is implementing a strategic plan to improve the educational and emotional outcomes for our kids, and it will take several years (e.g., five years) to see the full impact of that plan. I have studied hundreds of company top managements during my 35 year career as a global equity portfolio manager and read hundreds of business cases while at Harvard Business School. One of the most important characteristics for someone in my profession is to judge the capabilities of Chief Executive Officers. And I am good at that. While we call Dr. Beams a “Superintendent”. She is actually the Chief Executive Officer of Henry Hudson. She is without question a superior and talented chief executive.
Conclusion: The letter from the “Hudson Kids First” was based on incomplete or simply wrong information. Countless discussions about agenda issues are discussed before they are put on the public meeting agenda for a vote. In matters surrounding regionalization, there are closed meetings during which we discuss litigation with our board’s attorneys. In matters surrounding Dr. Beams contract, meetings were held in closed session. The same applied to the teachers’ contract negotiations. So, it is no surprise the “Hudson Kids First” made criticisms and drew conclusions based on a lack of information.
It is easy to throw stones at hardworking diligent board members. Recognize those stones were thrown based on erroneous conclusions arising from imperfect information. I could be cynical and say that was intentional. But I prefer to think it was due to conjecturing rather than critical thinking.
I am currently a college professor teaching business, and I grade this letter a D.
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