By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
Asbury Park is one of the districts being looked at for possible consolidation, County School Superintendent Eugenia Lawson told the city Board of Education this week.
She also said there are no plans currently to close the city high school and combine it with Neptune High School.
Lawson addressed the school board Monday night outlining new guidelines coming straight from the governor’s office specifically related to reducing property taxes.
The most talked about, but also the most controversial, is the call for consolidation of school districts throughout the state.
The report states that any school with 3,000 students or fewer, will be looked at for consolidation and sharing services with other districts.
Asbury Park currently has a total of 2,455 students enrolled with only 485 at the high school, which in the past held as much as four times that number. This years high school graduating class had approximately 120 students.
Under the new guidelines county superintendents will no longer be appointed by the State Commissioner of Education, but by the governor, for two-year terms only. They will have expanded powers and be cabinet level positions.
One of the main functions of the “executive superintendents” will be to reduce costs.
Lawson said that consolidation will not necessarily be mandated, but will be “strongly recommended.”
She added that if school funding is not reduced in two years, the county superintendent would most likely not be reappointed.
“Consolidation of schools is on the fast track,” said Lawson.
She also said that non-operating school districts, those without schools, but with boards of education, will most certainly be dissolved if the legislation is enacted.
Lawson said, “Containing public school costs every recommendation is driven by that premise.”
One of the bills, Speaker Roberts bill A54, is slated to be voted on Dec. 11 or 12, said Lawson, who encouraged board members to attend a rally planned Dec. 11 for all those involved in Abbott Districts.
“All Abbott districts are encouraged to come to Trenton and let them know we need our funding,” Lawson said.
The Roberts bill, she said, would have a particular impact on the Abbott Districts, and should be looked at first.
“The Roberts bill has the most steam,” said Lawson. “That’s the one you need to pay attention to.”
Lawson said that although consolidation will affect all districts, the Abbott Districts are most affected by the new per pupil spending guidelines.
New state funding formulas will allow $8,500 for each student, while currently Asbury Park is spending $18,000 per student.
“This format gets rid of the Abbott designation,” said Lawson. She added that any additional funding would be based on the “wealth of the district.”
Lawson added that with the new funding, the district will not be getting “anywhere near” what they are getting now, and although consolidation is on the “fast track,” the details need to be further fleshed out.
If districts resist the call to consolidate Lawson said the state may step in.
“The state has final say,” she said.
Lawson also said that state aid would be “based on results” and funding could be greatly affected if the costs did not produce specified outcomes.
In response to a question from Board Member Greg Brewington, Lawson said that funding for special needs and ESL students would be looked at separately.
“That is categorical aid, you would get that,” she said.
Board of Education President Robert DiSanto asked Lawson if she intended to close Asbury Park High School and combine it with Neptune.
“Is it your intent to close our high school and combine it with Neptune?” he asked.
“Not at all. I’ve heard the same rumors,” Lawson said. She said she will wait until the final bills are passed before making a determination.
Lawson said she would keep the board and Acting Superintendent Kathy McDavid informed of any new developments and legislation.
“As I get more information, I will pass it down to Mrs. McDavid,” said Lawson.
In other business Dr. Penelope Lattimer, head of the state’s intervention team in the district, explained to the board the state’s recommendation that a proposed plan for the reorganization of the central office, be postponed.
Lattimer gave as the main reason, the fact that McDavid is an acting superintendent and Dr. Antonio Lewis, who was suspended in September, is still on the district’s payroll.
Lattimer said she met with Commissioner of Education Lucille Davy Monday morning and both decided it was best for the district not to undertake a reorganization of the central office at this time.
“We are like-minded, and recommend you do not adjust your organization structure at this time,” she said. She said the time to move forward with reorganization is when a full Chief School Administrator, or superintendent, is named.
Lattimore further explained that because a permanent superintendent is not in place, the board cannot offer positions to prospective employees and could find themselves “bumping people around and creating more instability.
Several board members, however, did not agree with the recommendation.
Brewington said when he voted to appoint McDavid he did not envision her as a “lame duck” superintendent and said he would like more of an explanation why the acting superintendent could not implement her plan, which she had already drawn up.
Lattimer said, “I will explain, but there is a difference between getting an explanation and accepting the explanation.”
Dr. Lattimore said that although McDavid had full powers to run the district, there is a full superintendent on the payroll.
“You have aggravated your expenses,” she said of the fact that there are currently two superintendents.
McDavid said Tuesday she was in complete agreement with the state decision and that she had been involved in the discussions regarding the matter.
“I fully understand, I have had continual discussions with the state and we want to assure that the district remains fiscally sound,” she said.
In other business at the meeting the board voted to hire Janice Anderson as the interim director of curriculum in the district at a daily of cost of $550.
In addition Anderson will be reimbursed for work-related mileage and travel costs to conferences and seminars.
To contact Joanne Papaianni email to: joanne@thecoaster.net.
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