RED BANK — The Initiative and the borough’s Board of Education have called a truce.
Only six months after severing their relationship with the non-profit educational organization, the school board passed a resolution on Oct. 14 agreeing to "cooperate" with the Initiative — as long as the programs and plans benefit the children of Red Bank, and are approved by district Superintendent Dr. John Krewer.
The vote was 3-0, with Initiative founder David Tarver and member Juanita Lewis abstaining from the vote. Board Members Karleinz Haas and Peter Noble were not present at the Oct. 14 meeting.
For months, Initiative members pushed for the peace treaty, holding several meetings with the Board of Education’s Strategic Planning Committee.
"The Initiative asked for this qualification, and I think it’s a good development," Tarver said. "I hope this is the beginning of a new day and that we can all get back to the business of educating Red Bank kids."
Both Tarver and Lewis were elected to the borough’s Board of Education last May.
Becoming a member of the school board was the key element in rekindling the relationship between the two organizations, Tarver said.
— Sandi Carpello