UPPER FREEHOLD: Regional school board reorganizes

By David Kilby, The Packet Group
   UPPER FREEHOLD — A new chapter began for the Upper Freehold Regional School District as the board welcomed a new member and two others said farewell.
   Three incumbents and one new member who were elected April 27 were sworn in to their positions at the school board’s May 11 reorganization meeting, and one board member announced he soon will resign.
   Lisa Herzer was re-elected board president by her colleagues and Patty Hogan was elected vice president, both unanimously. ‘
   Chris Shaw, Patrick Nolan, Gregg Barkley, Eileen Heddy and Amy Jacobson, the high school representative, all were sworn in at the beginning of the meeting. Mr. Shaw and Mr. Nolan won an uncontested race for two three-year Upper Freehold seats, while Mr. Barkley had no opponent in his race for a three-year seat representing Allentown. Ms. Heddy was elected to a one-year unexpired term representing the borough.
   Board member Steve Gagliardi, who was elected to a three-year term in 2009, announced he will resign from the board June 22 because he will be moving from the area for career reasons.
   ”We moved here in 2005,” he said. “We could have lived anywhere from Delaware to New York. We chose Allentown because of the schools and community. Not once have I regretted that decision.”
   He said the board sometimes doesn’t agree on certain specific things, but in general it has been in unison.
   He commended the board for all it has accomplished in the time he has been on it, including building the Stone Bridge Middle School and finding a new superintendent of schools.
   ”I’m excited about all that’s happening here,” he said, adding that he regrets leaving at the middle of his term.
   Mr. Nolan, who won the seat vacated by Joseph Stampe, is a regular attendee of school board meetings. He works for BlackRock Asset Management and has three children in UFRSD schools. He said he ran for the board to continue the academic progress the district has made over the past five years.
   ”We need to continue our commitment to the progress of our school district,” he said, adding that the defeated budget concerns him.
   Ms. Herzer shared her appreciation for Mr. Stampe and the years he served on the board.
   ”I’d like to thank Joe for not only the professional relationship we’ve formed over the years but also for the friendship,” she said.
   Mr. Stampe was vice president of the board from May 2010 to May 2011 and president from May 2006 to May 2010.
   He was further honored in a resolution of commendation read by Superintendent Richard Fitzpatrick on behalf of the entire board and the district.
   Mr. Stampe served on the building committee and assisted with board oversight and supervision during the construction of the Stone Bridge Middle School from the summer of 2008 to September 2010, the resolution read.
   Mr. Stampe gave a farewell speech to the board after the commendation.
   ”I believe in education,” he said. “In order for a school district to be great it needs five things working together.”
   Those five things are a board that puts academic excellence first, a great administrative team, students who want to achieve their goals, parents who want their children to achieve their goals, and new technology and curriculum enhancement resources, Mr. Stampe said, adding that UFRSD is well on its way to having those five things working in harmony.
   He also thanked Dr. Fitzpatrick for all of his hard work.
   ”Your work ethic is inspiring, and your commitment to the district is humbling,” he said to the superintendent.
   Mr. Stampe also said that he joined the board in 2005 to use his experience to hire a superintendent, get the new school built and continue to enhance the curriculum.
   ”Hopefully I left the board better than I found it,” he said.
   His speech brought a standing ovation from most people present, including the entire board.