Howell to close Southard school

The township school board voted unanimously Wednesday night to close Southard Elementary School to help close the district's budget gap.
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School Board President Mary Cerretani tearfully nodded her head shortly after 10 p.m. Wednesday, silently casting the final "yes" vote to close the school as about 200 residents and teachers looked on.
It was unclear how many staffers will be laid off as a result of the decision.
The school has been open since 1955. Closing it is expected to save some $2.3 million.
Cerretani warned that the district may decide to close another school depending upon state and federal aid figures. She also said it is possible a school could be closed in May if voters defeat the budget next month and cuts need to be enacted.
The crowd at the board meeting was roughly divided between parents who wanted the school to remain open and residents who wanted the budget to be cut to avoid a large tax hike.
School administrators had claimed the budget deficit could be as high as $4.5 million for the next school year. That depended on state aid figures and the application of rules on how to account for prior budget maneuvers.
The district built three schools five years ago, but because of declining enrollment, school officials decided closing one of the 13 schools was the best option.
"We are not in the position of predicting what the future of enrollment will be," school board member Robert Antonaccio said. "Jobs are being lost. This is an enrollment problem. There is now a need to make a correction."
Some parents had fought for the schools to remain open and offered substitute budget cuts.
Barbara Lashley, who has taught in the district for 39 years, said in an interview that she was shocked.
"It's a sweet school," she said. "It's the only home I've ever known."
Other teachers hugged in the hallways after the board's decision.
"We are faced with making a bold and decisive decision," Superintendent Enid Golden told the crowd. "This is a high-stakes decision. We are talking about people, parents, the community."

By MICHELLE GLADDEN • STAFF WRITER • March 5, 2009 from www.dailyrecord.com

Youtube video link to Howell TRUTH's recording of 2/19 BOE meeting

PART 1:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-768873219868910432&ei=aJamSbX_CI_-qwKtmMCYBw&q=howell+township+boe&hl=en

PART 2:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7008336943565852313&hl=en

PART 3:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6341306344051676102&hl=en

PART 4:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3757934018489937882&hl=en

NO referendum, decides BOE

District will not hold referendum on school closing , voting for BOE members and school budget will be held April 21. Read entire Tri-Town news article: http://tritown.gmnews.com/news/2009/0226/front_page/001.html

Click here to see the BOE adgenda for Feb. 18th meeting

A Special Executive Session, Regular Board Meeting and Public Hearing on
Tax Levy Cap Proposal will be held on
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Middle School North Cafetorium.

Public Session will begin at approximately 8:00 p.m.Middle School North Conference Room7:30PM

An Open Letter to the Howell Township Teachers' and Administrators' Union President

You may have heard of the group Howell TRUTH * Townspeople Rooting out Unnecessary Tax Hikes * and you may believe that TRUTH is “the opposition.” In fact, TRUTH is on the same side of the school closing issue as you.We are not fighting to keep the doors to any particular BUILDING open. We are working diligently to avoid layoffs throughout the district, from administrative staff to instructional staff right on through to custodial/maintenance staff. We presume this is your goal as well, as the Howell Township Teachers' and Administrators' Associations Presidents.We hope you would agree that the common cause that unites us, the desire to preserve jobs in this awful economic crisis, is far more significant than whatever issues might be seen as dividing us. Please do not allow any outside force, whether it is from the administration, the board of education, or the state or national union, to divert your attention from this singular purpose, if it is in fact your desire to preserve jobs as well. We need courageous leaders now more than ever and we encourage you to be such leaders.We invite you to read our Mission Statement, at www.howelltruth.blogspot.com, so that you will know that our intentions are not to attack the unions or your membership. Our goal is to preserve the great educational system we have put together over the years by preserving its staff. Please work with us to encourage the board of education to make cuts, not closings. Please agree to sit down with the board to discuss whether concessions can be made to help see your membership and our great staff through this economic emergency. Please do so quickly, as a closing decision could come as early as mid-February.We have supported you through the good times and now we are asking that you support us during these troubling times. Thank you.

Click this title to see the presentation given at the February 2, 2009 Finance Committee meeting

Click this title to see all 6 possiible school closing scenarios from the BOE Facilties Meeting on January 22, 2009