Charles Jacey takes post of vice president; school opening-closing times approved
By: Jake Uitti
MONTGOMERY A greatly altered township Board of Education began work Tuesday as David Pettit and Charles Jacey were unanimously elected president and vice president, respectively.
In addition to the new leadership, newcomers Mark Conforti, Christine Ross and Saul Rubinstein, as well as veteran Reginald Luke, all elected to the board April 18, were sworn in and took their seats at the meeting.
Wei-ching Lin nominated Mr. Pettit, who was the only board member nominated for the board presidency.
Mr. Pettit said he appreciated the board’s support.
"I am honored that the board has confidence in me, and I am honored that I have the privilege to serve the people of Montgomery, especially the children, as we move forward with the business of building of our community," Mr. Pettit said.
Later in the meeting, Mr. Pettit publicly thanked the three outgoing board members Wayne Fox, Susan Carter and former board President Rich Specht for their "gift" of service to the board and the community.
Mr. Rubinstein, who said it was his "great pleasure" to do so, nominated Mr. Jacey for vice president.
Former Vice President Andrea Bradley, who was not nominated for a leadership position this year, said, "When I became aware that Dave Pettit was interested in being board president, I willingly stepped aside with the best interest of the board in mind.
"This past year, I have been very troubled by what I saw as factions of groups of three or four members on the board, and I am hoping that having Dave and Charlie as president and vice president will end those factions," Ms. Bradley noted. "I feel strongly that our deliberations should be at the board table."
As the business meeting got under way, Dr. Luke, Mr. Conforti, Mr. Rubinstein and Ms. Lin were appointed to an ad hoc committee to work on the negotiations with the teachers’ union and the bus drivers’ union. Both contracts are up this year.
During the meeting’s public comment period, Jerome Carr, founder of APIECE A Parents Initiative for Every Child’s Education said it would be a good idea to televise the entire proceedings of each board meeting, including the public comment periods. This, Mr. Carr said, would "spur more interest" in the board, noting that only about 15 percent of residents in New Jersey made it to the polls April 18 for the board of education elections.
Mr. Pettit said it was a "worthwhile" idea, adding he and the board would look into the logistics further.
In his first president’s report, Mr. Pettit said it would behoove the board if its members were to bring a list of their priorities for the new year to the next meeting.
"I think it would be good to come to a common, shared vision of where we would like to take the district," Mr. Pettit said. "That starts with understanding what each individual wants."
Mr. Pettit also said he and the board are looking to further strengthen their relationship with the public, saying, "It is really important for us to earn the trust and respect of the full community so next year, when it comes time, the people feel good about what they’re voting on."
The board also approved the following start and end times for the 2006-2007 school year:
Montgomery High School, 7:30 a.m.-2:18 p.m.
Lower Middle School, 8:25 a.m.-3:13 p.m.
Upper Middle School, 8:40 a.m.-3:28 p.m.
Village Elementary, 8:15 a.m.-2:35 p.m.
Orchard Hill Elementary, 9:10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Kindergarten, morning session, 9:10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
Kindergarten, afternoon session, 12:50 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Preschool, 9:10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Preschool, morning session 9:10 a.m.-11:50 a.m.
Preschool, afternoon session 12:50 p.m.-3:30 p.m.