MERS BOE Rejects Proposed 2012-2013 Calendar

The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District’s 2012-2013 calendar is still a work in progress. The Board of Education voted down a proposed calendar during a meeting at on Tuesday.

“I’m opposed to this calendar,” Board President Michele Stipelman said, citing the proposed half-days before the Thanksgiving holiday and winter recess. “Last week the school report cards were released and we did not necessarily have a stellar performance. I really think we’re better off having school on those days.”

Superintendent John J. Marciante Jr. said the calendar had been drawn up to follow the Freehold Regional High School District because of a directive from the Monmouth County Superintendent’s Office. The county recommended regional districts attempt to coordinate their calendars, he explained.

“Not every district follows that directive. We felt that it made sense for the children in our schools to follow the regional calendar,” Marciante said.

Board Vice-President Lori Semel noted that the proposed calendar seemed to have a lot of days off in September and questioned whether the district needed to close school for the Columbus Day holiday. Marciante said they were required to do so.

Stipelman, Semel and board members Annamarie Galante, Jame Mumolie, Diane Bindler, Ralph Cafaro voted against approving the calendar, while members Brian Graime and Dotty Porcaro voted to support it.