The status of the school regionalization question being on any ballot in the future is still a mystery. Matthew Giacobbe, the labor attorney representing the Mayor and Council advised them not to answer any questions at last night’s council meeting. However, administrator Rob Ferragina said anyone with questions should address them in writing to him and he will forward to the attorney for his response.
Last night’s action came on the heels of Monday night’s meeting of the Highlands Board of Education when the acting chair Robin Sanfratello declined to accept any questions on the proposal to put a K-12 regionalization question on the ballot. She told the public the board had been advised in an e-mail last August not to answer any regionalization questions.
The regionalization questions involved the three boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands as well as the mayors and councils of the two towns as well as Sea Bright that does not have a board of education. Sea Bright would like to separate from the high cost of being minority members in the Oceanport and Shore Regional boards of education and join Highlands and Atlantic Highlands in a K-12 district that would use the three schools in those two towns and capable of taking in the approximately 50 Sea Bright students at their respective grade levels.
Giacobbe was on the agenda at last night’s council meeting to give a “regionalization update” but Ferragina announced the attorney had another obligation and would not be there, and so advised the no question edict. Ferragina did not submit any update report that could keep the public informed.
In other business at the meeting the governing body unanimously approved the No Knock ordinance after no one spoke at the public hearing. The ordinance will enable residents to secure signs and post them at their homes if they do not want vendors and other uninvited persons on the property.
It introduced an amendment to the salary ordinance, setting the public hearing for the Oct. 13 meeting. Janice R. Swaggerty was hired as the municipal court clerk and also serves in the same position in Highlands court, which is also held at Atlantic Highlands Borough Hall. The appointment is for three years at $80,000. Ms. Swaggerty, who had been court clerk in Little Silver began the Highlands position with municipal court yesterday and begins with Atlantic Highlands Sept. 26.
Roger Tole was hired as school crossing guard effective immediately at an annual salary of $10,200
