Stone Harbor School Board Meeting Notes January 13, 2010

PELIMINARIES: Call to Order, Pledge to the Flag, Roll Call and Minutes

 

 

                BOARD SECRETARY/BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR REPORT- This incorporated Budget Summary    Report, Revenue Summary Report, Transfer Status report, Transfers, Board Secretary Report,      Custodian of School Funds Report and Warrants.   APPROVED.

                Mr. Atwood read, “It is recommended that the Board of Education approve one of the following options as presented in “A Feasibility Study for the Avalon and Stone Harbor Boards of Education on the Options for Consolidation” as prepared by Centennial Associates, LLC, dated September 8, 2009.  These are:

                                1. Maintain the Status Quo

                                2. K-4 at SHES and 5-8 at AVES

                                3. K-8 at AVES

                Mr. Atwood then made a motion to table the vote until August, 2010 to provide time for parents to properly market the school for tuition students. Motion was seconded and passed with one abstention.

 

                Comments  made by Board members after motion passed:

 

                Mrs. Hand- had concerns about low enrollment. Listened to parents, teachers and homeowners, was a supporter of Send and Receive. However, thought it wise to provide opportunity to market school with hopes of increasing student enrollment.

                Ms. Walton- agreed with Mrs. Hand. But time is of the essence. Disturbed by question asked to Mr. Atwood if he thought Stone Harbor was a dying town. The school is just one issue. It’s good to look again in August.

 

                Mr. Atwood closed the board comments by saying that the school wants to aggressively pursue tuition students, but be up front with those parents of the options still before us.

 

                Board received support from the Mayor on behalf of the Town Council.

 

                Mr. Atwood yielded the floor to the Superintendent of Schools.  Superintendent introduced two          educators, Mr. David Hichner and Mr. Terry Crowley.

 

                Mr. Hichner: Retired Superintendent of Shiloh School District, small town of 500 to 600 people. Related history of school district and how it eventually merged with Hopewell Township as a result of continuing decline in enrollment. Feasibility studies were conducted with adjacent townships. Hopewell seemed the best fit and decided on a one year Interlocal Agreement. If successful, another Interlocal Agreement could be agreed upon for another year or two or three years, or Shiloh could decide to not renew this agreement and return to using its own facilities.   Shiloh Board of Education continued but agreed to reduce its members from 9 to 5, but a school was sitting idle. Tuition students were tried, it was unsuccessful. Eventually, Board was dissolved and Shiloh became a “non- sending school district”. In the end, Shiloh was unable to provide the best quality programs for its students. This is state initiated when no students are in the existing building. Currently, working to keep school as a specialty school, like fine arts. 

                Other comments from Mr. Hichner in response to questions: Shiloh teachers were not guaranteed a  position; however everyone  had employment who stayed. Shiloh homeowners are paying more for reducation. Travel distance to Hopewell schools is 1 to 4 miles. Students have adjusted faster than parents.

 

                Mr. Terry Crowley, current Superintendent of Schools, Cape May County- spoke on questions written by Board member, Mr. Hoy who was unable to be at the meeting.

·         Legislation- the current laws decide on the elimination of non- operating school districts- defined as not providing any education. There were 26 in the state, 13 were eliminated as of June, 2009. Voters from non-sending districts can run for “at large” board positions in their active school district. School budget can be voted on by voters living in a non sending district.

·         Advertising for tuition students- encourage you to advertise provided you meet the guidelines established. All schools must play by the same guidelines. Avoid excessive spending.

·         Status Quo- would tuition students be treated differently than Stone Harbor students if there were more tuition students than resident students? Good question. Sense there is a break even point with the community. A better  answer if it happens. Tuition developed by identifying the cost of providing a service at a particular grade level. Cost divided by number of tuition students equals tuition rate. Obviously, the more tuition students the less cost per pupil and visa versa. Marketing to a declining number of available tuition students. County has declined by 1800 students from 2000 to 2007.

·         Regionalization/Consolidation- Studied for regionalization are due for completion by 3/2010.- not ready yet. It incorporates multiple school districts. Each municipality must vote to get approval. Lower Cape May Regional is an example. Consolidation is more feasible. Vote still required by each municipality. Sharing of services, teachers administration, support etc. An example is county government.

·         School Choice- $$$$ follow the student, limited to one district per county. There is talk of extending with no limitations. Lower Twp is the selected district in CMC. There are certain restrictions concerning the number the district can accept as well as how many a district can send. A school choice school must accept a child if they apply.

 

CHIEF SCHOOLADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT- request for school trips, training for school computer tech and upcoming events- APPROVED

OLD BUSINESS- None

 

NEW BUSINESS- None

 

Barry Conti-   Thanked  the speakers and Board for delaying their decision