Regionalization: BOE’s Vote Mayors Write

Letters From Regionalization

The Mayors of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright, who have been trying to let the people of their towns decide whether they want regionalization for several years also lost no time in letting the Commission of Education know they are “delighted she…..recognizes the merit of consolidating the three school district” and  they “are particularly pleased that our votes can decide this issue at a referendum in the fall.”

Highlands Mayor Carol Broullon was the first to let her residents know of the surprising and sudden move made by the boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, posting the letter on the borough website.

Her action, and the letter from the three mayors, refers to the action the three boards of education unanimously took at a hastily called special meeting earlier this week in which they set Sept. 26 at the date for a special election to Wednesday night whether Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Henry Hudson schools could consolidate in one regional district.

The mayors’ letter, however, also reflects their grave concerns over the boards’ request to the Commissioner, and her response at the recommendation of the county superintendent, omits Sea Bright from the vote or inclusion in the K-12 regionalization plan.

The mayors pointed out that two studies, one done by the three boards of education with state funds, the other by the boroughs with local funds, both by third party organizations, also show tax savings and educational opportunities in any regionalization are only possible if Sea Bright is included.

The measure passed unanimously by all three boards of education at the hastily called meeting, does not address Sea Bright at all. The mayors beseeched the Commission to include Sea Bright in the fall referendum and expressed the hope that is the action she will take shortly.

The Joint letter reads, in full:

As mayors of Sea Bright, Highlands, and Atlantic Highlands, we are delighted that the Commissioner of Education has reviewed the submissions from our three towns and three boards of education and recognized the merit of consolidating our three school districts. We are particularly pleased that our voters can decide this issue at a referendum this fall.

However, those same submissions made it clear that the essential benefits of regionalization can be enjoyed only if Sea Bright is part of the new regional district. As there is no legal or factual impediment to including the option to include Sea Bright in the upcoming referendum, we urge the Commissioner to conclude her analysis and follow the direction of every expert retained by our six public bodies; that is, the tax savings and educational opportunities available through regionalization can be fully realized only if Sea Bright is part of the region. Thus, the option to include Sea Bright must be part of this fall’s referendum and we trust that the Commissioner will approve same in the coming days.

Loretta Gluckstein, Mayor of Atlantic Highlands

Carolyn Broullon, Mayor of Highlands

Brian Kelly, Mayor of Sea Bright

Members of all three boards of education unanimously approved the Sept. 26 special election date for the regionalization question without Sea Bright with all members present voting in favor. Only Atlantic Highlands Board President Molly Murphy abstained from the vote. Her husband, Councilman James Murphy, is on the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council.

At the same meeting, the three boards also unanimously approved a new contract of two-year term for Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams when her current contract expires June 30, 2024. That contract would expire June 30, 2026.

According to business administrator for two boards Janet Sherlock, Wednesday’s meeting was advertised in the Star Ledger on June 24 and the Asbury Park Press on June 26 apparently with incomplete or incorrect information. The notice was “updated” and sent to both daily newspapers Saturday, July 22. No notice was sent to the local weekly legal newspaper for the boards, the Two River Times.