Board tables talk on demographer’s contract

Staff Writer

By dave benjamin

Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education members are focusing attention on who should provide demographic consultant services and whether there should be an annual contract for the job.

"Ross Haber is a demographer who does the enrollment studies," said Teresa Rafferty, public information coordinator. "He did the study for us when we had the (construction) referendum and he updates the information each fall when we need the information on Oct. 15."

The question of whether to give Haber an annual contract was discussed at a recent meeting of the board. Rafferty said that in the past Haber did work for the district on an individual project basis.

Board member Terry Kraft of Howell said Haber’s job is twofold.

"One is to get all of our demographics set so that we can begin to balance our numbers for the opening of schools in September or at least for the fall of 2002," said Kraft. "It will also compare against the backdrop that he left with us at the committee we served on when we were looking for sites (for a new school). That information will be used at a time when we will select options as to what to do as far as a new school or various items we discussed."

Kraft also said there is a need for timelines to be set for the projects and said it should be done quickly. He noted that there will also be a need for a new referendum timeline.

Board member Dr. Steven Mishkin of Marlboro said a contract for a demographic consultant should be discussed in executive session.

"I agree we need to move forward," said Mishkin, "but the important element as to who is going to be the demographer and what the deal is haven’t been discussed. I think it was a bit premature to have put this on the agenda."

Board President Patricia Horvath of Manalapan said there should be a discussion regarding the time element during one of the board’s meetings this month.

The item being discussed, demographic consultant services, was not voted upon by the board and was set aside for discussion at a future meeting.

In the absence of Superintendent of Schools James Wasser, Dr. Joan Nesenkar Saylor gave the superintendent’s report which updated the district’s ongoing construction projects. She explained that the building permit for the Freehold Township High School addition should have been received as of July 23. It was delayed by the Freehold Soil Conservation District three times due to requests for additional information.

At Colts Neck High School, structural steel to be used for an addition was supposed to be delivered, according to the report.

"Manalapan is going very well, but we will be going right down to the wire with the opening of the two-story classroom addition and the art addition," said Saylor. "It is looking in good shape."

Additionally, roof work is being done at Howell High School.

Board members held a moment of silence to remember Peter Fedorocko, the former principal of Howell High School and Freehold Township High School who recently passed away. He also taught at Freehold High School. Fedorocko served in the district from the 1950s to 1984.