Board Rep on Study Funding: 'Nothing to Report'

Jamie Button, Mendham Township’s representative to the West Morris Regional School Board, has “nothing to report” regarding funding from the state for a potential feasibility study for the district.

On June 14 at the , Button explained to members of the dais that Acting Commissioner of the Department of Education Chris Cerf “would take care of it” when asked by Button on how to fund such a study, if one were desired by the communities.

More than three months later, a study is, in fact, wished for by four of the five townships.

The mayors of all five towns representing the school district–Washington Township, Mendham Borough, Mendham Township, Chester Borough and Chester Township–met . Four of the five mayors agreed that if the funds were available, they would like to pursue a feasibility study as to what funding formula would work best for the district.

Mendham Township Mayor Frank Cioppettini did not agree with the terms. The moderator at the first meeting was Mendham Township’s Christine Myers Gorski.

At the West Morris Regional Board of Education meeting on Monday, Sept. 26, Myers Gorski–sitting in the audience–asked Button if he had any further communication with Cerf or the Department of Education regarding the funds. When Button replied that there was nothing to report, he said that he stood by his statement at the education summit.

“Coming into the budget season, do you have a deadline, or have you worked on moving forward with (Acting Commissioner) Cerf?” Myers Gorski said.

“I don’t believe I can give Chris Cerf a deadline,” Button replied. “But when I have something to report, I will let Mendham Township know.”

A second mayor’s meeting was , who the mayor felt was entitled to be there as a public citizen. The other four mayors said the session was closed, and the group could not come to amicable terms.

And for now, the funding that was proposed more than three months ago continues to be in limbo.