Marlboro school union reaches out to Bay Head

MARLBORO — The union that represents hundreds of Marlboro K-8 School District employees, including teachers, is going to bat for a coastal school that is temporarily closed due to damages incurred during Post- Tropical Storm Sandy.

Representatives of the Marlboro Township Education Association (MTEA) said in a press release that the group has “adopted” the Bay Head Elementary School in Bay Head, Ocean County.

As part of that initiative, MTEA members have set aside supplies for Bay Head school administrators and pupils to use when they return to the building.

According to the press release, MTEA Secretary Kathy Bartsche delivered a “truckload” of school materials to Bay Head Elementary School Principal Walter Therien.

MTEA President Robin Zegas not only bought school supplies, but also personal storage boxes for the union’s campaign, according to the press release.

Members of the MTEA and Marlboro’s PTOs then filled the boxes with educational items for every Bay Head elementary pupil.

Students from the Marlboro Elementary School have pitched in by creating bookmarks for their counterparts in Bay Head. Those gifts will also be placed in the individual boxes.

“When the students finally return to their school, a box will be greeting them on their desk as a welcome home gift,” according to the press release.

The MTEA planned to continue collecting donations for the pupils and teachers of Bay Head through the week.

Sandy flooded the first floor of Bay Head’s elementary school on Oct. 29, and on Nov. 7 a nor’easter caused a pipe to burst, according to the MTEA. Bay Head’s gymnasium and cafeteria are unusable, as are many classrooms.

In addition, the electrical wiring of the elementary school is reported to be in poor condition.

Equipment and supplies used by the nurse, guidance counselor, Board of Education, music teachers, art teachers, Spanish teachers and physical education teachers were damaged beyond repair, according to the MTEA.

Many Bay Head pupils are progressing with their studies, with their regular teachers and classmates at an elementary school in Point Pleasant Beach.

The Bay Head school is expected to reopen by the end of December.

— Jack Murtha