School bond vote in Dec.

Board unanimously approves Stockton talks

by Jennifer Schmidt, Gazette Contributing Writer

HAMMONTON—According to the Hammonton Board of Education, a multi-million dollar bond referendum will be put before voters in December. The board outlined the reasons for the referendum, whose final cost has not yet been determined, during a special board meeting on June 24. The board said the referendum would fund an addition to the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and alterations to the Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School.
The Hammonton Board of Education also unanimously passed a motion to continue discussions with Stockton concerning the establishment of a satellite campus in Hammonton during the board’s meeting. Though the topic was not originally slated for the board’s meeting, it was the subject of public comment during the meeting from numerous town members, representatives from Stockton and members of the Hammonton Education Association (HEA).
The vote by the board followed the public comment, after a motion to have the board endorse the project made by board member Stephen DiDonato was seconded by board member Salvatore Velardi.
During the first public portion of the meeting, the board heard from its own employees and members of the public regarding Stockton’s desire to establish a campus in Hammonton.
Judy Shaner of the HEA expressed concern about the project and raised various questions.
“We question how and why the economic development of the town is the concern of the board of the education. The intention of the board should be to watch our schools,” Shaner said.
Shaner added that Hammonton High School already offers advanced placement classes, and has many programs in need of funding that might be dedicated to the Stockton project.
John A. Iacovelli, Dean of Enrollment Management at Stockton, stressed the benefits provided by such a merger noting the “financial, cultural and educational opportunities for students and faculty.”
Iacovelli, who recently moved to Hammonton, also added that the motivation for “buying into this community is that there is something special” about the town.
Town residents noted the opportunities for retired citizens to go back to school, yet another NEA member expressed concern about the cost in light of teacher’s salaries.
Stockton professor and local resident Tait Chirenje urged action from the board.
“A vote of confidence will help us address those questions,” Chirenje said.
Hammonton Board of Education President Loretta Rehmann said the board needed to proceed slowly on the Stockton project.
“It’s an exciting concept and the board sees the opportunity. But we are moving cautiously and slowly. We need to answer a lot of questions first,” Rehmann said.
Mayor John DiDonato, who is board member Stephen DiDonato’s brother, also addressed the board during the meeting.
“What is a school district? It shouldn’t stop at 12th grade. This is priceless to have in the community. Is this an economic development engine? Absolutely. But it will also be an education engine to encourage our children to go to college because it’s in their backyard,” Mayor DiDonato said.
Mayor DiDonato urged the board to move forward as the town council did on Monday, June 23. Charles Kramer, Chairman of the Board of Kramer Beverage Co. in Hammonton and president of the Stockton Foundation, also addressed the board publicly and encouraged them to seize the opportunity presented by having Stockton in Hammonton.
Dominic “Tip” DiDonato, father of the mayor and board member Stephen DiDonato, also addressed the board.
“We lost a lot of good things in Hammonton because we sat on our hands. Let’s not sit on our hands. There should be a vote tonight,” he said.
Hammonton resident Patty Palmieri encouraged the board to support the effort to bring Stockton to the town.
“This is a great opportunity to have a college right in town. Why not have a vote of confidence in support of this issue?” Palmieri said during the meeting.
Board member Stephen DiDonato said he wanted the board to move forward on the Stockton project.
“This is a win-win for students….Teachers cannot provide college accredited classes. This is a win-win, an investment, for the community. Stockton will be an anchor for shopping and transit, and will inspire growth,” Stephen DiDonato said.
Following his comments, Stephen DiDonato presented a motion to have a public meeting within 30 days where the board of education, town council and Stockton representatives would discuss the project. Other board members expressed concern that such a close deadline would not allow enough time for the board to establish a position or to answer the questions that were raised. After amending the motion, the board unanimously passed a motion that a public meeting would be held by September 1.
The meeting began with a presentation of the needed repairs and alterations at Warren E. Sooy Elementary School and proposed addition to the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) from Hammonton Board of Education Vice President Joseph Giralo, adding that the Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School was originally built in 1974.
“As far back as 2003, we’ve been discussing the need for this, and money has always been a problem,” Giralo said.
The ECEC opened in 2001.
Giralo outlined the need for improvements to the roof, which was last replaced 17 years ago, floor and ceiling tiles, the electrical system, mechanical system and plumbing.
Following Giralo’s presentation and Superintendent Mary Lou DeFrancisco’s explanation of state policy concerning preschool education, architect Wayne Neville explained the cost and timeline for the renovations and expansion.
“We cannot set a price because we need to survey and see exactly what needs to be done,” Neville said during the meeting.
The board unanimously voted to authorize Neville to begin the process, setting aside $577,466 to cover the expense of the design phase of the project. The board awarded the design to Neville, who worked on the design of the Hammonton Middle School roof and addition. The board did not seek any other bidders for the design work.
Approval to ratify the Memorandum of Agreement between the Hammonton Board of Education and the Hammonton Association of School Administrators was granted with an abstention from member Barbara Berenato. Agreement was also ratified between the board and the Hammonton Supervisor’s Association.
The board unanimously approved the promotion of Janet Holloway from director of curriculum and instruction to assistant superintendent while also approving the job description for the new position and abolishing her previous title.
The board also approved a letter of resignation from Hammonton Middle School Assistant Principal, Thomas Attanasi. Attanasi has accepted a position as a principal in another school district.
Submission of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 Five year plan was unanimously approved.
“I’m excited about the opportunity this gives the children,” board member Robert Bauers said.
The board will meet again on Monday, July 21, to meet with Jane Kershner of NJSSA, who will be helping guide the selection process for a new superintendent.

Gabe Donio contributed to this report.