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.

State Senator Vin Gopal is being congratulated and commended for introducing a bill he has indicated for some time that, if approved, won’t let elected officials also be their political party’s chairman.  The bill, if approved, would force Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden to either resign his position as the elected Monmouth County Sheriff or step down as the Monmouth County Republic Party Chairman.

Republicans see this as a politically motivated issue … and well it may be. But it does not seem right that people who depend on party support for backing to get to their position should then be the chair of the very party that got them into office, or in the position to have political influence over the people who pay his salary.

Sheriff Golden, County Clerk Christine Hanlon, and County Surrogate Maureen Raisch are all in elected positions Gopal’s bill would prohibit from holding county political positions as well.  Each is elected to the office with the backing, support and funding from the Republican party to win their election.  So, for them, like Golden, be the chair of the party that got her into office certainly seems like a recipe for intrigue and influence, or at least the appearance of influence that party officials have on elections.

Introduction of the bill was approved by the judiciary committees of both the Assembly and the Senate after Gopal introduced it as the prime sponsor. It now awaits the vote of both chambers.

If the bill passes, and if Governor Phil Murphy signs it this month, Golden would have to step down as GOP chairman before the November election.

Gopal said he introduced the bill because of the undue influence he feels party leaders could exert on elections, or by intimating public servants to gain advantage in future elections. “We don’t allow judges to be political bosses. We don’t allow prosecutors to be political bosses. We’ve got thousands of Hatch Act jobs, federal jobs, where you can’t even be involved in politics, so this is simple,” the Senator said.

Opponents to the bill say Gopal introduced the bill specifically to target Sheriff Gulden. The Sheriff is the only constitutional officer in the state who both holds the office and chairs the county political party. Gopal is expected to run for reelection in November in the 11^th district, which covers many municipalities in Monmouth County.

Both Republicans, the Sheriffs Association of New Jersey and Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey oppose Gopal’s bill, saying it is unreasonable and unconstitutional.

Senator Gopal is a Democrat and widely believed to be a leading candidate in his district and a potential candidate for higher office in the future.

With the contract among the three boards of education in Highlands and Atlantic Highlands with Superintendent Tara Beams set to expire June 30 of next year, several special board meetings are on the agenda this week.

It is anticipated that in evaluating the performance of the superintendent during the two years she has headed the educational program in the three schools, board members will review the state Department of Education assessment from the 2021-2022 school year, the last for which state figures are available. Those figures show all three schools are either average or below average in English language and mathematics subjects. Figures also show a high rate of absenteeism among students at Henry Hudson Regional School and below or at average absenteeism at the two elementary schools.

The expiration of the superintendent’s three-year contract next year and the need to notify her before June 30 of this year if they do not plan to offer a contract renewal comes at a busy time in the two boroughs.  The mayors and council of the two boroughs and the Sea Bright Mayor and Council voted unanimously last week to submit a resolution to the Department of Education to put the question of including all three boroughs’ students in PreK-12 into one regional school district, in an effort to save funds and improve educational standards and opportunities.

The Highlands Board of Education is meeting in special session tonight at 8 p.m. at the school for the purpose of acting on the evaluation of Superintendent Dr. Tara Beams.

The three boards of education in the tri-district, Henry Hudson Regional, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, are scheduled to meet in executive session Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Henry Hudson School for the purpose of evaluating the superintendent, however, no action is expected to be taken.

The Atlantic Highlands School Board has no date posted for any special meetings prior to Thursday at Henry Hudson.

Under terms of her contract, the boards are required to hold an evaluation at least once a year of the superintendent. However, since her current contract expires June 30 of next year, this year’s evaluation is essential in considering whether she should be offered another contract in 2024.

Under state law, if a board does not intend to renew a contract with a superintendent, notice must be given at least one year in advance of expiration of the present contract.

Currently Dr. Beams’ contract calls for the $180,000 annual salary approved when she was hired, with a 2 per cent increase each of the next two years. In addition, the contract authorizes her to have 12 sick days, two family days for sickness, five days for family bereavement, 20 days’ vacation, three personal days and all holidays in a 260-day week year. She is also entitled to a cell phone, mileage, and insurance and health benefits as well as professional membership fees and other items.

At the same time, Henry Hudson’s student attendance report in the State Department of Education’s assessment for the 2021-2022 school year, shows students are in a high risk of failure in education because of a 40.1 per cent absenteeism, more than twice as high as the state average of 18.1 per cent.  The absenteeism rates in the elementary schools are better in the two elementary schools, with Atlantic Highlands absenteeism lower than the state average, and Highlands just at the 18 per cent state average.

Henry Hudson students scored 58.1 percent in English and Language arts subjects in the state report, approximately mid-way in the 49 to 70 percent that qualifies as average across the state. Henry Hudson students scored just above the 36 per cent state average for math with a 38.7 per cent average.

The teacher to student ratio at Henry Hudson is 8-1, with the average teacher staying with the district approximately 11 years.

According to the NJ School Performance report, taxpayers paid $22, 432.00 per student at Henry Hudson Regional school in federal, state and local taxes for the education of the 297 students registered in the 2021-22 school year.

In Atlantic Highlands, it cost taxpayers $14,588 for each of the 265 students in Pre K through 6. Students attended school for far more days than the average, with only 8.9 percent absenteeism.

In the Highlands school, where students scored below average in English and average in mathematics among its 178 students, taxpayers paid $19,302 per student. The rate of absenteeism was at the same 18 percent as the state average.

Since Dr. Beams became superintendent at least 22 per cent of the staff in the three schools have either retired or resigned, including two principals, the supervisor of Special services, and more than 30 other teachers or other employees.

If Lillian Burry was told the rules wouldn’t allow it, she calmly said, “Change the rules.”

If she was told it was a great idea, she responded, “It’s more than a great idea. Just do it.”

And State Senator Vin Gopal said he had been “trying to beat Lillian for years!” Then decided the best thing to do was to join her.

These and so many other comments on the qualities of Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian Burry…determined, indefatigable,  tenacious, patriotic, …were included in everyone’s description when the Lillian G. Burry Women’s Wing was formally dedicated Thursday, May 18 at the Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community on Essex Road, Tinton Falls.

Built by Soldier On and the Winn Companies, the 70-apartment complex is a home for homeless veterans with a separate ten-unit wing of the development named in Burry’s honor for “her unwavering civic spirit, patriotism and perseverance in creating the Village.

Former LT. Governor Kim Guadagno, several former Assemblymen including Serena DiMaso, members of the County Board of Commissioners and local municipal leaders and an overflow crowd of other political and civic leaders as well as family and friends overflowed the tent for the outdoor ceremony honoring the Commissioner with many telling of how she overcame numerous obstacles and was instrumental in acquiring both the land and the funding to create a first of its kind facility for veterans.

Jessica Rohr, Director of Public Affairs and Outreach for Congressman Chris Smith, who was in Washington and unable to attend the ceremony, presented a framed statement of the Congressional Record in which Smith also praised the tenacity and untiring efforts of Burry, not only for Soldier ON but also for every opportunity help veterans or active-duty military.

David Ginsberg, senior vice president for Winn Development served as master of ceremonies and introduced the half dozen speakers who praised and thanked the commissioner. Former state Commissioner of Community Affairs Chuck Richman said the facility would never have been possible without the driving force of Commissioner Burry, a theme carried out by Gopal, William Wollinger, Chief Asset Officer for the firm, and Bruce Buckley, CEO and President of Soldier On.

Carol Jones, an Army veteran originally from Montclair, and a current resident of the Women’s Wing, told guests how the facility has been a saving force in her life. Admitting to making poor mistakes during her years after the Army, Jones thanked Mrs. Burry for her determination and her dedication towards helping the men and women who have protected the nation.

It was Bruck Buckley who drew the most affectionate applause and laughter of all of Mrs. Burry’s talents when he gave a list of “non-quotes…_ things you would never hear Lillian Burry say. Buckley said Burry would never been known to say, “It can’t be done!” or “I give up!”

He noted the importance of the Veterans Village and quoting from the national anthem that America is the home of the free and the land of the brace, the nation also has the obligation of providing a suitable home for the brave.

In acknowledging all the applause, commendations, compliments, and gifts presented during the ceremony, Burry said the work was not hers, but praised Buckley and all the other men and women who fought with her to secure the funding and the land as well as cut through all the red tape necessary to construct the first of its kind facility after her husband, retired Coast Guard Captain Don Burry, had seen an article about housing for veterans in need.

A reception and a tour of the facility followed the ceremony.