James Wasser, superintendent of schools in the Freehold Regional High School District, told Board of Education members at a Dec. 17 meeting that the state commissioner of education was impressed with students during a recent visit to Manalapan and Colts Neck high schools.
Wasser said Commissioner Dr. Vito A. Gagliardi came to the district to help officials and administrators cut the ribbon to open a new gymnasium at Manalapan High School. The gymnasium is part of the six-school district’s ongoing construction and renovations project.
"Dr. Gagliardi couldn’t say enough about our students," Wasser said, noting that the point of the commissioner’s visit was to see the construction sites at Manalapan and Colts Neck high schools.
Wasser said some students had the opportunity to tour their school with Gagliardi, and he noted the fine rapport the commissioner had with the students.
He added, "Dr. Gagliardi was really pleased with the safety and security in both buildings. He was also pleased with the cleanliness. He actually said he wanted to see the custodial supervisor before he left. He couldn’t have been more complimentary about the cleanliness of our schools."
Board President Patricia Horvath said, "Dr. Gagliardi appears to be a very down-to-earth person and in meeting with the students he came right to their level. The students really enjoyed speaking with him."
During the superintendent’s report, Wasser told the board that construction bids for work at Marlboro High School should be received by Jan. 10 and appear on the board’s Jan. 14 agenda. Some preliminary work is being done in front of Freehold Borough High School and an addition at Colts Neck is now enclosed, he reported.
Wasser said the construction and renovation work will continue during the winter vacation break.
In other news, Wasser said representatives of the Air Force and the Navy have notified the district that they are interested in running a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program. The district will be contacted after the holidays for a decision, he said.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Rhoda Chodosh of Manalapan asked why it was necessary for the board to appoint the legal firm of Schwartz Simon Edelstein Celso and Kessler, of Florham Park, when the district has an attorney, James Collins.
Board member Dr. Steve Mishkin of Marlboro said, "This is a large district with many legal problems, and I would not want to be in Mr. Collins’ shoes."
Mishkin said the district’s legal issues are a large task for one person to address.
"This firm was very impressive, and they have the resources to provide many services," Mishkin said. "One area we are looking at is labor. These people will have to work with Mr. Collins."
In other news, a citizens committee which has been studying the issue of redrawing school attendance area boundaries may report to the board during a Jan. 14 meeting to be held at the administration building on Pine Street, Englishtown.
A citizens land-acquisition committee has asked for additional time to prepare its report. A date has not been scheduled for that committee to come before the board.
When those two committees were named in August initial indications were that they would report back to the board on Dec. 17.
At the Dec. 17 meeting, the Howell High School Madrigal Choir, under the direction of Marcello Velame, performed two songs and a variety of holiday selections. Student soloists who performed the holiday selections included Rachel Truhan, Faith Bryck, Luz Sanchez and Amy Palumbo.
An art exhibit by Jena Lyn Diamonte, 16, was also held prior to the board meeting at Howell High School. Diamonte, a student at Howell, has metatrophic dwarfism and paralysis and uses a modified brush which she holds in her mouth to make her paintings. Diamonte received the first District Award for Excellence, which was presented by Wasser.