By Amy Batista, Special Writer
JAMESBURG — Board of Education members recently discussed debt service concerns raised at a previous Monroe Township Board of Education meeting, which has been an on-going issue for months between the towns.
”There was a resolution, in regards to their ability to take legal action in the future against Jamesburg for nonpayment of the tuition debt-service in the case that it becomes an issue,” said board member Patrice Faraone, who also serves as a liaison to the Monroe Board of Education.
Jamesburg pays Monroe tuition and debt service for about 225 students that attend the high school, according to officials. The amount paid per student comes to about $19,000, which includes $16,000 in tuition per year, and around $3,000 per student as a payment toward Monroe’s debt service.
Officials estimate the amount of money presently owed could be more than $600,000.
According to Monroe District Business Administrator and Board Secretary Michael Gorski in an email on Dec. 4., the motion authorizing potential legal action was made by Marvin Braverman and seconded by John Leary during the Monroe board’s Nov. 14 meeting.
”Whereas the Jamesburg Board of Education has failed to commit to pay their proportionate share of interest on the Monroe Township High School bond series, specifically 2003 and 2008,” according to the resolution. And whereas this refusal adversely effects the revenue of the Monroe Township School District to operate the schools and serve its students and Jamesburg students,” the resolution states. “Now therefore be it resolved that the board hereby directs the attorney to pursue any and all appropriate remedies including the filing of a petition of appeal with the Commissioner of Education against Jamesburg Board of Education unless the dispute can be resolved within two weeks of the date of this resolution.”
”(The resolution) was done in an executive session, which I was not a privy to, and I did make a brief statement (to that board) before going in,” Ms. Faraone said. “I was just stating our position (that) Jamesburg (does) not have the means to provide them with that debt service. I think that is where it stands right now.”
”I haven’t seen the resolution,” said Jamesburg Business Administrator and Board Secretary Richard Kilpatrick. “That’s all I’ve heard about it.”
”I don’t take it personal,” Ms. Faraone said. “They have to do what they have to do. We have to do what we have to do. I understand their position. I absolutely told them that we have paid more than our fair share. We pay above and beyond tuition, we pay in transportation, and we pay to their building up keep.”
According to the Board Vice President Robert Czarneski, the debt service is not due until July 2013. He was also in attendance at the Monroe board meeting on Nov. 21 in which this issue was discussed.
”Just so the board and the public is aware, the (Jamesburg board’s) finance committee is taking this whole Monroe issue very seriously,” said Board President Sal Brucato. “However, we also have things that are important to this community and to this school system and all of it is getting looked at as an entire package which is why we are working closely with the county superintendent and making sure our voice is heard.”
Despite the negotiations between the boards, Mr. Brucato said the situation may still end up in the courts.
”We are going to do everything we can to somehow remedy this,” Mr. Brucato said. “It will probably become a legal battle and if that is what it has to be, that is what it has to be, but there are things in this district that need to be taken care of first.”
Ms. Faraone said that the financial burden the payments are making on the smaller district are beginning to impact its own schools.
”We want to convey to Monroe that we have sacrificed enough of our K-8 budget and school district to where we can no longer allow that to continue and allow our children to go up there and do very well and not be jeopardizing the existing K-8,” Ms. Faraone said.
”The Jamesburg Board has made an installment payment to the Monroe Board for tuition arrearages for the 2010-2011 school year,” Mr. Gorski said. “However, there remains a balance due for tuition arrearages for the 2010-2011 school year, which the Jamesburg Board must pay to the Monroe Board on or before June 30, 2013.”
”If we are talking $600,000 in debt service as it is, that number can easily go up to $1 million bucks,” Mr. Brucato said. “So that is why we are not taking this lightly and we are being pro-active about how we approach this with the county and state, but wherever that goes, we don’t know.”
Mr. Brucato acknowledged in an email that they still owe tuition.
”While we owe 2010-2011 tuition, payments end up two years after the fact which has been the case in all instances past and present,” Mr. Brucato said. “Debt service will be $600,000 plus, and we have roughly 225 students at the high school.

