Board of Education elects president and vice president for 2005-06

Board also sets a new school calendar.

By:Lea Kahn
   The township Board of Education elected officers and three new board members took the oath of office at the April 28 reorganization meeting at the Lawrence High School library.
   Laura Waters, who was elected in 2004 on the Team for Change slate, was elected president. Michael Brindle, a 14-year veteran of the school board, was elected vice president. The terms are for one year.
   Ginny Bigley, Deborah Endo and Gerri Hutner were sworn into office for three-year terms by School Business Administrator and Board Secretary Thomas Eldridge. Ms. Hutner is a former school board member who served from 1995-2001.
   Leon Kaplan, who also ran with Ms. Waters on the Team for Change slate, nominated her for president. The board elected her unanimously.
   Ms. Waters said it was "a great Honor" to be elected president and that she is looking forward to moving ahead with the school board. The past year has been a struggle, she said, referring to the divisiveness that marked the past few months.
   "But if you peel away the acrimony and dissention, no one is sitting at this table except (those) with a passion for education," Ms. Waters said. "This will be a great year if we can stay focused on the job. I know everyone here can do that."
   Mr. Brindle was nominated for the vice president’s post by Ms. Hutner. He, also, was elected unanimously.
   "Thank you for your vote of confidence," Mr. Brindle said. "I am looking forward to working with the newly constituted board. We have to do what we have to do. Let’s put the acrimony behind us. The sun will come up, the buses will come and the children will go to school."
   After electing officers, the board approved the proposed 2005-06 calendar, despite a call by the Lawrence Township Education Association to restore half-days to the first week of school.
   School begins Wednesday, Sept. 7. The first day of school is a half-day, but the next two days — Thursday and Friday — are now full days.
   LTEA President Joann Lupo requested the change to half-days. The shorter school day allows teachers to consult with Child Study Team members and meet with other teachers to discuss classroom-related issues, she said.
   "There are only so many after-school meetings we can attend in September," Ms. Lupo said. "We are not asking for a half-day to go out for a three-hour lunch. We are here until 4 or 5 p.m. It’s a work day for us."
   The change from half-days to full days was made two years ago after parents expressed concerns about arranging for child care during the first week of school, said Superintendent of Schools Max Riley. Last year, the board restored one half-day in the first week of school, he said.
   Mr. Brindle suggested making the second day of school a half-day, but board member Michael Wilson objected. He said that students who spend more time in school will do better academically.
   Noting that the calendar could be changed later, the board asked Dr. Riley to consult with the seven school building principals to determine whether it would be feasible to incorporate more half-days into the first week of school.
   In other business, the school board awarded a $1 million contract to JDS General Contracting of Ocean Township to remove the roof and replace it at the Lawrence Intermediate School. The work is expected to be completed during the summer.