Subcommittee named to work with Township Committee on voter-rejected budget.
By: Kara Fitzpatrick
MONTGOMERY A greatly altered Board of Education began work Tuesday as Rich Specht and Andrea Bradley were unanimously elected president and vice president, respectively. The board, typically made up of eight members, was one member short due to the resignation of former President Linda Romano.
In addition to the new leadership, newcomers Charles Jacey, David Pettit and Arun Rimal, all elected to the board April 19, took their seats at the meeting.
Ms. Bradley nominated Mr. Specht, whom she called an "ideal leader," for the board presidency.
"I don’t think it can be underestimated that Rich has experience," Ms. Bradley said. Mr. Specht, who enters his sixth year on the board, is serving his second term.
Mr. Specht said he appreciated the board’s confidence.
"The community has dramatically told us that they want some changes," Mr. Specht said, adding that he believes communication between the public and the board is important.
Later in the meeting, Mr. Specht publicly thanked the three outgoing board members Bill Hyncik, James Logothetis and David Demme for their service to the board.
Mr. Jacey, who received the most votes of the four candidates on last week’s ballot, nominated Ms. Bradley for vice president.
Mr. Jacey said Ms. Bradley is "committed to quality, affordable education."
Mr. Jacey, who worked with Ms. Bradley on the district’s Ad Hoc Community Relations Committee, said, "I hold her in very high regard."
As the business meeting got under way, Mr. Specht appointed four members to serve on a subcommittee to provide factual information to the Township Committee as it reviews the defeated $67.9 million budget.
"It is most important for us to have people that understand the budget," Mr. Specht said, appointing former Vice President Reginald Luke, Ms. Bradley, Mr. Jacey and himself. Selected members of the administration, including Superintendent Stuart Schnur, will collaborate with the subcommittee.
"The subcommittee’s role is to respond to questions related to educational impact," Dr. Schnur said. "That’s all they (the Township Committee) want. Period."
A Township Committee subcommittee consisting of John Warms and Mark Caliguire has been assembled to work with school representatives in discussing specific budget cuts. During the May 4 Township Committee meeting, Mr. Warms and Mr. Caliguire will present a status report.
The Township Committee must act on a revised budget by May 19.
In addition to talk of the budget process, the issue of transportation resurfaced, with Mr. Jacey suggesting that a survey be conducted quickly while the budget and, therefore busing, is in question in order to gauge which scenario was most welcomed by township parents.
But Mr. Specht said crafting a survey quickly "might be difficult." He added that the board with the budget in question doesn’t know the parameters.
Ms. Bradley agreed, saying she was uncomfortable conducting a survey at this time on a single issue.
Dr. Schnur said the board couldn’t make any decisions on transportation until it was aware of the Township Committee’s budget changes. He added, "No matter what, there will be a community-wide survey" in the fall.
Also, the process of appointing someone to the vacant board seat has been announced. Applications will be accepted through May 19, Mr. Specht said.
Interviews will take place before the board meeting on May 24 and the new member will be appointed that night. Further information will be posted on the district’s Web site at www.mtsd.k12.nj.us, Mr. Specht said.

