Monday, May 7, 2007

Bridgewater-Raritan’s New School Board

If you decide to go to tomorrow evening’s meeting of the newly structured BR-BOE, you will find that one-third of the board has turned over as a result of your choices made on April 17. Three new faces, Lynne Hurley, Jeffrey Brookner, and Jill Gladstone will deliberate at their first significant public meeting – this is the one where reductions to the 2007/2008 will be discussed (See my post of May 5th).

The change out on this board is considerable: Presiding over the meeting will be the board’s newly-appointed president, Al Smith – the sole Raritan representative. At his side will sit Cynthia Cullen, the new VP.

Public participation at board meetings has been very spotty, ranging from perhaps a couple of dozen people (not often!), all the way down to one or two, sometimes no one at all. Nobody should have to regularly attend these meetings just to stay informed, or to keep officials’ feet to the fire. Nonetheless, it’s worth your while to stay conversant with the board’s activities. Everybody has a stake in education, and this is where most of your property taxes are consumed. One way or another, don’t be reluctant to make your voices heard.

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