Evesham Township

May 17, 2010
Special Council Meeting

The Special Meeting of the Evesham Township Council was called to order by Mayor Brown at 6:00p.m.  The meeting was held in the Meeting Room of the Evesham Township Municipal Complex at 984 Tuckerton Road, Marlton, NJ 08053.

Flag Salute.

Mayor Brown announced that the meeting was being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act.  Notice was sent to The Central Record and The Burlington County Times, posted on the Bulletin Board and sent to those who requested notification.

ROLL CALL:

Present: Croft, Hackman, Howarth, McKenna, Mayor Brown

Also Present: Township Manager Czerniecki, Township Clerk
                   Bonfrisco, Deputy Township Clerk Friddell, Members of
                   the Evesham Township School Board, Evesham Township
                   School District Administration 

Mayor Brown requested Resolution No. 90-2010 be tabled until a Special Meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 6:00p.m.

Resolution No. 90-2010 – Resolution Certifying 2010-2011 Lenape Regional High School District Tax Levy

On motion by Councilwoman Hackman, seconded by Councilman McKenna, it was moved to table Resolution No. 90-2010 to the Special Meeting of May 19, 2010.

Recorded Vote: AYE: Croft, Hackman, McKenna, Brown

         NAYE: XXX

      ABSTAIN: Howarth

Motion Carried: 4-0-1.

Mayor Brown informed the public that since the school budget was defeated by the voters, the Council is, by law, required to review the budget and respond.

He explained that the final decision with regard to how any reduction is implemented in the school district budget is made by the School Board and Administration.

Mayor Brown referenced a letter sent to all Municipalities from the State, encouraging wage freezes and health benefits contributions.

Mayor Brown stepped down due to a conflict of interest and Deputy Mayor Howarth assumed the chair.

Township Manager Czerniecki thanked Evesham Township Superintendent John Scavelli for his excellent leadership and responsiveness.  He thanked teacher union members and president for their cooperation.

He referenced the impact of the current property tax burden, the real estate decline and the state aid loss on the School District budget.

He stated that he is recommending a total reduction of 1.4 million and requested Council make a motion to accept his recommendation and incorporate it into their resolution.

On Motion by Councilwoman Hackman, seconded by Councilman McKenna, it was moved to accept the Manager’s recommendations and incorporate them into Resolution No. 91-2010.

Recorded Vote: AYE: Croft, Hackman, Howarth, McKenna

              NAYE: XXX

           ABSTAIN: XXX

Motion Carried: 4-0.

 

Resolution No. 91-2010 – Resolution Certifying the Evesham Township School District 2010-2011 Budget

On motion by Councilwoman Hackman, seconded by Councilman McKenna, it was moved to adopt Resolution No. 91-2010.

Council Comments:

Councilman McKenna stated that the cuts in state aid did not allow enough time for schools and municipalities to react.  He stated his opposition to the process of school budget approval.

He thanked the teachers and the entire Union for their vote to accept salary reductions.  He stated that the true budget flaws are not being addressed and that salary reductions are a short term fix to the larger problem.

Councilman McKenna addressed the Board of Education and challenged them to find solutions, to be more proactive and forward thinking and recommended that they look for guidance and suggestions from experts outside of the Board and Administration.

Councilwoman Hackman stated she understands the challenges and, as a parent, appreciates the staff of the School District and the members of the Union for their shared sacrifice.  She suggested that the School Board take the lead in addressing budget issues.

Councilman Croft, in agreement with Councilman McKenna and Councilwoman Hackman, stated that the School Board and Administration should have presented realistic numbers in their budget, and that teachers and students should not always be the ones to suffer.

Deputy Mayor Howarth stated that, having been a teacher and a former School Board member, he sees different perspectives in the process.  He reviewed other entities affected by state cuts.  He applauded teachers, administration and non-union personnel for their acceptance of a salary freeze.  He recommended the administration look more deeply and treat all parties fairly.  He offered to work closely with the School Board to prepare for next year’s budget.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Beth McLaughlin, 29 Greenbrook Drive, a resident, teacher and union member addressed Council, stating that the teachers have made many concessions in past contracts and are currently at the bottom of the County pay scale for teachers.  She stated that union members were harassed and felt threatened during the budget process and that morale within the district is destroyed.

Elaine Barbagiavanni, 21 Florence Ave., as a taxpayer and employee of the School District, referenced proposed salary cuts, requesting that the cuts be spread more equitably throughout the District.

Sue Brennan, expressed concern over the impact that the current crisis will have on education.  She stated that many current educators could offer expertise, as suggested by Councilman McKenna.  She further stated that she does not support the salary freeze.

Joe Barbagiavanni, 21 Florence Ave., stated that the blame should be on the School Board.  He requested Council make a motion that no teacher should receive a larger cut than an administrator.  He referenced the effect of cuts on pensions and asked that the School Board be more fair and equitable in cutting the budget.

Ken Mills, 119 Meadow Lane, asked that everyone consider senior citizens on fixed incomes.  He suggested the School Board be pro-active and look into shared services.

Eileen McKeon, a teacher at Jaggard Elementary School, explained that teaching is not about ego or politics and cannot be conducted like a business.  She opposed that the only budget residents can vote on, is the School Budget.  She recommended Council reduce the proposed cut to 1.2 million.  

Sydney Greenblatt, 10 Sunflower Court, stated that the School Board is a business; it takes and spends taxpayer money.  He further stated that seniors cannot afford more taxes and recommended a zero based budget. 

Karen McShane, 14 Elmgate Road, a 36 year resident of Evesham, approached Council as a representative for the students.  She stated that she would like her children to have the same educational rights as she had and that teachers should not be cut.

Chuck Hoeltje, 1 Clancy Court, suggested that not enough was cut from the budget.  He referenced low test scores and decreased enrollment and questioned the increase in cost per student.  He stated that the schools have a responsibility to the taxpayers and that the budget burden should not always fall on the backs of the teachers.

Rosemary Bernardi, 10 Halifax Court East, Evesham Township School Board Member, stated that the Board has made cuts, innovative decisions and increased shared services.  She further stated that Evesham Schools want excellence, not adequacy.  She supported the decisions of the School Board and Administration, stating that they have spent wisely and been cost-efficient in their budget approach.

Mary Ellis, 31 Lakeside Drive, commended the Evesham school system and expressed disapproval to accusations that the School Board and Administration were playing games with the budget.

Lisa Mansfield, President of the Evesham School Board, expressed concern with misconceptions regarding the budget process.  She stated that as President she will work to improve communication and that she looks forward to a positive working relationship with the Township.  She acknowledged teachers, administrators and the Board for their acceptance of cuts and concessions. 

John Scavelli, Evesham Township School Superintendent, thanked all in attendance.  He recognized the current tax burden and the unprecedented economy; however, he explained that schools are not a business, that their budget affects children and programs.  He reviewed the contributions of the teachers, including their ongoing contribution to health benefits.  He stated that the recent state cuts have created bad morale throughout the state and that now is the time to start healing and to begin working together for next year’s budget.

VOTE ON RESOLUTION NO. 91-2010 – RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE EVESHAM TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT 2010-2011 BUDGET  

Recorded Vote: AYE: Croft, Hackman, McKenna, Howarth

         NAYE: XXX

      ABSTAIN: XXX

Motion Carried: 4-0.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Councilman McKenna, in response to comments from Mr. Hoeltje, agreed that not enough was cut from the budget.  He stated that the schools are overstaffed in administrators and encouraged the School Board to think outside of the box.  He explained that at this point, any further cut would have a negative impact on the students.

Councilman Croft sympathized with both the senior community and teachers.  He stated that more could have been cut from the budget but that the time frame hindered the process. 

Deputy Mayor Howarth stated that the community needs to start healing and move forward in a fair and positive way.

On motion by Councilman McKenna, seconded by Councilman Croft, it was moved to adjourn the meeting.

Recorded Vote: Aye: All Ayes.

              Naye: XXX

           Abstain: XXX

Motion Carried:  4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:50p.m.

 

__________________________________    ____________________________

Carmela Bonfrisco, Township Clerk     Randy Brown, Mayor

 

___________________________________

Lori A. Friddell, Deputy Township Clerk/Recording Secretary

 

Submitted:  May 20, 2010

Approved :  _______________