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ALLENTOWN: Fond farewells as madam president relinquishes gavel

By Joanne Degnan, Managing Editor
   ALLENTOWN — After eight years of service on the Board of Education, including almost two as its president, Lisa Herzer presided over her final meeting Dec. 12, a four-hour-plus marathon of official business mixed with heartfelt farewells from both public officials and residents.
   Upper Freehold Deputy Mayor Steve Alexander, speaking during the public comment portion of the meeting, praised Ms. Herzer for her work in shepherding the successful 2004 and 2007 voter referendums that built Stone Bridge Middle School.
   The second referendum, which had polarized the community, authorized spending an additional $13 million to relocate the proposed site of the middle school after arsenic contamination was discovered at the originally selected site on Ellisdale Road.
   ”That second referendum was not an easy referendum personally for you because many friends and supporters were not necessarily in line with going for a second referendum,” Mr. Alexander said. “But you knew the bigger picture, and you stayed above the friction and helped to get the school built.”
   Mr. Alexander praised Ms. Herzer’s abilities as “a peacekeeper” when confronted with divisive issues, noting “it’s not a gift that very many people have.”
   Upper Freehold Regional Schools Superintendent Richard Fitzpatrick also paid tribute to Ms. Herzer for the leadership she and former Board of Education President Joe Stampe displayed in ensuring the middle school referendums passed.
   ”It’s one thing to have an idea, but it is another thing to take an idea and see it through to fruition so that it becomes a reality,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said. “A great leader can make people understand that they do not have an option of exercising anything other than a positive force for kids.”
   Upper Freehold resident Cindy Bardwil, in a letter read into the record by Mr. Alexander, applauded Ms. Herzer for overseeing the 2007 hiring of Dr. Fitzpatrick and Assistant Superintendent Steve Cochrane who she said have moved the district forward.
   ”Lisa (served) this district for eight productive years, overseeing the hiring of an irreplaceable new superintendent and assistant superintendent who have changed the face of the Upper Freehold Regional School District,” Ms. Bardwil said. “She was instrumental in implementing random drug testing at the high school, and she slugged her way through many teacher contract negotiations and budgets.
   ”Her service to this district is invaluable, and I will be forever grateful, particularly on behalf of my children, for her tremendous efforts,” Ms. Bardwil added.
   Ms. Herzer chose not to run for re-election last month and will be leaving the board when it reorganizes Jan. 2. at which time two newly elected members will be sworn in and a new president chosen.
   Eileen Heddy, of Allentown, also will be leaving the board Jan. 2 because of redistricting required by the last U.S Census. Due to population shifts, Allentown is losing one of its three school board seats, which goes to Upper Freehold in 2013. Since Ms. Heddy’s term was the one expiring in 2012, she was the Allentown representative whose position was eliminated.
   Ms. Heddy, a professor at The College of New Jersey, had been a member of the board since 2010 and has headed the board’s Policy Committee.
   Both Ms. Herzer and Ms. Heddy were given plaques from the board in recognition of their service.
   Ms. Herzer and Mr. Stampe, a longtime board member and board president before deciding not to seek re-election in 2011, also received additional recognition.
   Dr. Fitzpatrick climbed to the top of a metal folding ladder to unveil the new school district logo and mission statement mounted on the wall in the board meeting room. Small metal plates affixed to the bottom of each frame honored Mr. Stampe and Mr. Herzer for their service to the district.
   ”I came up with an idea to let you know that forever your influence would be present,” Dr. Fitzpatrick said.