Reelected Stone Harbor School Board President John Atwood, middle, with reelected Board Vice-President David Hoy take the oath of office lead by Board Secretary Linda Fiori at the reorganization meeting, April 30. Photo by Leslie Truluck

STONE HARBOR –– The Board of Education here held its reorganization meeting April 30 to swear in newly reelected board members David Hoy and John Atwood for two three-year terms and reestablish their positions as vice president and president.

Election results recognized 126 votes were cast, of which Hoy received 114, Atwood received 96 and one write-in vote was received for Marge Corson.

The $2,047,988 general fund was approved with 87 positive votes and 29 votes in opposition.

County Executive Superintendent of Schools Terrence Crowley attended to answer questions about the purpose of his position and the new School Funding Formula from board members and the public.

Crowley is visiting all Cape May County schools and educations boards to explain the process.

“Our approach is to collect data and provide various reports and give boards the opportunity to communicate and participate,” Crowley said. “We would ask folks to serve on an ad hoc committee and be an important part of the process.”

“We aren’t ruling anything out and we have the ability to do things that haven’t been done before,” he said.

Board members expressed concern for losing education quality in the name of cost efficiency.

“No, the legislation doesn’t talk about the quality of education, but I want to make sure we get both reduced costs and a good education for the kids,” he said.

“Quality education is first with finances a close-second.”

The senior board reappointed committees, in which Hoy and Atwood oversee finance personnel and negotiations, Harris and Board member Terri Hand oversee building and grounds, while Hoy and Board member Susan Walton oversee policy, curriculum, community relations and shared services.

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com