Atlantic Highlands Borough Administrator Robert Ferragina confirmed that the three resolutions unanimously adopted by the three boroughs of Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright requesting authority from the state Commissioner of Education to put the question of a Pre K- 12 regional school district on the ballot for voters to decide has been forwarded to the Executive County Superintendent on behalf of the towns, the apparent routine method for getting the Commissioner’s approval of the resolutions.
Although each of the resolutions was adopted unanimously by each of the governing bodies, neither Councilman James Murphy nor Jon Crowley cast ballots in their borough.
Murphy, who is expected to announce this week he is running for Mayor in November, has consistently recused himself from any discussion on regionalization, citing the fact his wife is president of the Atlantic Highlands Board of Education and that represents at the very least the appearance of a conflict of interests.
Crowley, who is a candidate for re-election to the governing body, has been outspoken on the process and has raised several questions on regionalization at various meetings. However, at last week’s meeting he abstained from voting without giving any reason. Contacted by VeniVidiScripto, Crowley said that while he “supports regionalization, he doesn’t agree with the current resolution and will comment in the coming days.” The councilman did not expand on why he does not agree with the resolution which has been discussed for several months.
In Highlands, Mayor Carolyn Broullon and all members of the governing body present at the joint meeting approved the resolution. Councilman Leo Cervantes was absent and therefore could not vote; however, in the past he has indicated his approval of regionalization and the Highlands’ council resolution calling for an election for voters to make the final decision.
In Sea Bright, all council members and Mayor Brian Kelly were present for the meeting an unanimously approved the resolution.
Speaking for the governing body, Councilman Erwin Bieber, who has been studying and urging action on a regionalization possibility since the question first became a subject for discussion, said ““We are very pleased that Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright have come together to request approval to put the option of Regionalization on the ballot allowing our residents to decide. This PK-12 Regionalization will offer high quality education for our students at much more equitable costs for our taxpayers.”
Mayor Kelly and council members Jefferey Booker, Samuel Catalano, Heather Gorman, William Keeler and John Lamia, Jr., all indicated their agreement.
Also outspoken in her support of putting the regionalization question before the voters, Atlantic Highlands Resident Ellen O’Dwyer, who is seeking a seat on borough council in the November election said, “I am encouraged by the non-partisan progress that all three of our boroughs have made by their unanimous vote to move Regionalization to the ballot for vote by our citizens in the general election in November.
About 10 months ago, the three towns were just short of completing a petition to the Commissioner of Education for a 3-town K-12 Regionalization with a pending funding formula to be submitted “forthwith”. Unfortunately, and for varying reasons, we got off course, and forward momentum ceased. In a January special meeting, the Tri-District Boards of Education voted to move forward with a 2-town petition netting only $400K in shared savings for Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, rather than the strongly recommended 3-town petition which would result in savings of two million dollars per year.
In several public meetings since January, I have shared my personal experience with school regionalization in my former town of Colts Neck, acknowledging the lengthy process and work involved, but the many benefits that came of it, and continue to come of it in terms of efficiencies and a better education and school experience for the students.
Members of the public joined me in urging the mayor and council of Atlantic Highlands to work with Sea Bright and Highlands to finalize the funding formula to complete the original petition as promised, and without further delay. The Commissioner needs to review and approve the joint petition before an August deadline to submit the referendum for the November general election.
Both expert reports (Porzio and Kean) and the financial expert’s research involving blinded analysis and comparison to analogs all resulted in the same recommendations that are now listed in the Resolutions. It is my sincere opinion that we are bringing a solid solution to the people.
While Regionalization may seem daunting, and rightfully so based on our work ahead, I am very positive the councils’ recommendations place us on solid footing and support the momentum needed to move this to a referendum for adoption by our citizens. We must let the people of Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright vote on this pivotal decision for the future of our education system and our children.” she said.
