As the New Year comes and we look toward what 2016 may have in store, it is important to take a look back at the year that was.
Last year was a busy one for the township of Tabernacle. From the action-packed school year to the numerous significant events handled by township committee, there is plenty on which to reflect.
Tabernacle elections saw some contention
Four Republican candidates filed to run for the two open seats on the Tabernacle Township Committee in the primary election on June 7. Incumbent committee members Joseph Yates IV and Stephen Lee IV ran against Tina Marie Coolidge and Jason Litowitz for the Republican party nomination, while no Democratic candidates filed to run.
Lee and Yates clinched in the primary election and were chosen by voters in the November election.
November’s Board of Education election in Tabernacle School District was contested, as five candidates filed to run for the board’s three open full-term seats. Incumbent board members running for the three-year open seats included BOE President Victoria Shoemaker, BOE Vice President Geneva Moore and board member John Bulina. Newcomers included Megan Chamberlain and Gail Corey.
The one-year term left by Stephen Price was uncontested, as Julia Sailer was the only candidate to run.
Also uncontested was the one Tabernacle seat on the Lenape Regional High School District’s BOE, which was filled by incumbent Robert H. Bende Jr.
Tabernacle goes to the chickens
A discussion of the allowance of chickens began in August, as members of the community expressed interest in having chickens on residential properties. Residents at the meeting all expressed their support on an ordinance for standards of keeping chickens.
When an ordinance was introduced in early September, a number of residents spoke against the ordinance, as they worried about attracting animal predators, coop setback issues and manure management. The ordinance was approved on first reading, despite the concerned comments, however it would go before the Land Development Board to be sure there were no setback issues with the coops. A back and forth on the topic of residential chickens continued in the meetings to follow.
In November, the township worked to get Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Presentation on Domestic Chickens to inform the public about keeping residential chickens. According to Lee, those who came to the informational session were all in support of the ordinance.
Through various public comment sessions, input from Rutgers University and township boards, some amendments were made to the ordinance.
The original ordinance, along with the amendments, was put up to second reading at the Dec. 13 meeting. Residents who attended the meeting did not attend the chicken information session, according to Lee, and voiced disapproval on the procedural manner of the ordinance. The ordinance was still put to a vote, with Committeewoman Kim Brown as the lone “no” vote.
To read the full ordinance with amendments, visit www.townshipoftabernacle-nj.gov/CHICKEN%20ORDINANCE,%20AS%20ADOPTED.pdf.
Taxes see increases from the township and K-8 schools; regional district decreases
After months of deliberation, township committee passed amendments to its 2016 municipal budget at a special meeting held June 1. Although the original adopted budget had a total amount of $4.13 million, amendments made from eight sequential versions led to the final adopted budget amounting to $4.11 million.
This finalized budget came after the committee was initially presented with two options in March. The first included no tax increase and no school tax deferral, but with numerous budget cuts. The second option, which was selected, included a tax increase and use of school tax deferral, but with fewer budget cuts.
Due to the township’s decision, small cuts to the budget helped facilitate a cut to the original 4-cent tax rate increase for township residents down to a 2-cent increase per every $100 in assessed property value. For the average assessed home valued at $263,745, residents will now pay an additional $52.75 per year in municipal taxes.
Additionally, the township has elected to defer $160,000 worth of school taxes. These taxes are not yet due to be paid to the local school districts and therefore can be utilized by the township to help balance the municipal budget. Township Auditor Kevin Frenia said Tabernacle is not borrowing money from the schools, but rather because school taxes are collected six months prior to when they are due, the money sits in the township’s account doing nothing. So, rather than tax the taxpayers again, the township has chosen to utilize a portion of these taxes to support the budget and reduce taxes.
“All we’re doing is utilizing funds that have been collected from the taxpayers to support our budget. Rather than hitting them again with another tax rate increase, we’re utilizing money that’s in our account,” Frenia said. “It’s really a timing difference, so by the time the school levy comes due, that money’s been recouped and goes back over to them.”
Tabernacle residents saw a decrease in their regional school tax bill for the 2016–17 school year. The tax levy decreased by 2.49 cents, resulting in a decrease in regional school taxes of $68 on a home assessed at the township average of $263,745.
The total budget for the Lenape Regional High School district is $156.6 million, an increase of $2.6 million from last year. Most of the budget is funded with taxpayer money, with $116.1 million expected to come from taxpayers in the district’s eight sending municipalities.
Tabernacle residents have a 4.1-cent increase on the tax levy for the K-8 school tax, resulting in an increase of $106.98 on a home assessed at the township average of $263,745.
There were no cuts of teachers with this budget. However, there will be adjustments in assignments based on the needs of the students.
In the middle school, the main focus is the new ISTEM room being implemented, and there are funds contained in this budget that helped move that project forward. The board would also be looking to make some special education improvements this year and purchasing two new buses.
Winter storm Jonas hits Tabernacle
Winter storm Jonas was a record-setting one that caused many regions much distress and was responsible for 60 storm-related deaths nationwide.
At least 14 states received more than a foot of snow. It was the single biggest snowstorm on record for at least six locations in four states — New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Lee reached out to township administrator Doug Cramer early Friday before the storm hit to set a game plan regarding how they would approach things and followed up with him on Sunday to see how the process had gone.
All committee members thanked the members of the public works department, the fire department and the rescue squad for a job well done.
The schools were all ready to be open on Monday morning, but had to be shut down to follow suit with the Lenape Regional High School District. Other municipalities were not as fortunate as Tabernacle and were still scurrying to get roads ready when the work-week began.
Considering Tabernacle is basically 50 square miles of trees, not experiencing any major power outages during a storm such as this was a remarkable feat when the №1 cause of outages of electric utility distribution lines are trees. The Board of Public Utilities requires the company to trim back the trees near the power lines every four years, and it has surpassed that standard over its tenure with Tabernacle.
Other Tabernacle Township happenings
• The first committee meeting of 2016 was the site of two goodbyes to long-time township officials.
After serving the township for 20 years, Bob Perry retired in November. Perry filled the role of building inspector, now held by Thomas Boyd after the committee appointed him in January.
The position of tax collector was also advertised for, as Susan Costales announced her retirement.
• David M. Stead, 42 of Pemberton Township, shot and killed Thomas Wright II, inside his residence at 157 Patty Bowker Road in Tabernacle in the early morning hours of July 1. The victim would have celebrated his 50 birthday later that month.
Wright operated a business out of his residence called Artisan Building Creations. His family went to check on him after he failed to show up at a job site that day.
The investigation revealed that Stead, who was formerly employed by the victim, went to the residence with the intention of robbing him. Instead, he shot him multiple times in the head and neck, then fled with a small amount of cash in a rented pickup truck that was being used by the Wright, police said.
Stead was placed in the Burlington County Jail on $1 million full bail set by the Hon. Aimee R. Belgard, J.S.C. Stead was charged with murder (first degree), felony murder (first degree), robbery (first degree), unlawful possession of a weapon (second degree), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (second degree) and theft (third degree).
The township committee had a moment of silence for Wright at its meeting following the announcement of his death.
• At the Pine Barrens Festival, an individual or group from each town is identified for outstanding volunteer service and presented with the Pine Barrens Festival Service Award. This year in Tabernacle, Noble McNaughton was chosen for the Pine Barrens Festival Service Award. He was acknowledged for his numerous years of service.
On a larger scale, an overall Pine Barrens award is presented to an individual or group that has made a meaningful contribution to the culture, history and/or ecology of the Pine Barrens. This year, two honorees were chosen, one being Tabernacle’s Richard Smithson.
• Tabernacle’s Clarence Grovatt celebrated his 100th birthday on Aug. 15. More than 195 people came to celebrate at the Tabernacle United Methodist Church where Grovatt received cards, gifts, desserts, a proclamation and a key to the township.
• Elwood Parks was given a proclamation for his 43 years of service to Tabernacle. Parks, raised in Tabernacle, was a part of the township’s Public Works team, the Medford Farms Volunteer Fire Company, Tabernacle Rescue Squad, Tabernacle Fire Company №1 and various community organizations. The committee, community, family and friends all spoke highly of Parks. He also received a key to the city for his dedication to Tabernacle.
• The Tabernacle Rescue Squad purchased four new AEDs for the township to use in emergency situations as needed at its parks and buildings.
• The agreement between the Tabernacle Athletic Association and the township was approved 5–0 at the December committee meeting. The agreement permits the TAA to use the Patty Bowker Sports Complex Concession/Snack Stand together with the garage, bathrooms, storage area and kitchen. The agreement outlines allowances for the TAA to use the facilities, such as responsibilities, maintenance and insurance liabilities. Lee said the TAA volunteers put a lot of work into the construction of the building and some financial support, though the county did give the township grants to make the Patty Bowker Sports Complex Concession/Snack Stand.
Tabernacle School District sees change in its superintendent
After nearly five years with the Tabernacle School District, Superintendent George Rafferty was approved as the new superintendent for Mt. Laurel Schools by the Mt. Laurel BOE on Feb. 9. Rafferty would start his new position in Mt. Laurel over the summer.
Rafferty described his time with the Tabernacle School district as a “great run” and said he was able to help do great things in Tabernacle under several different initiatives.
“We’ve worked very well with the administrative team there to help see things through, and I think I’ve been honored to be able to work with their students,” Rafferty said. “They have awesome students, they have outstanding parental involvement.”
However, Rafferty’s time in Tabernacle was not without its share of critics.
Throughout the 2015–2016 year in particular, a significant portion of several Tabernacle BOE meetings were spent with parents criticizing Rafferty and blaming him for various problems in the district, with some parents even as going as far as placing signs on their properties and signing petitions that said “Fire George Rafferty.”
At the February BOE meeting, residents expressed their feelings on the departure of the school district’s superintendent. Some even made t-shirts to express their excitement of his departure and asked if he could leave earlier.
While Rafferty didn’t comment on those specific parents and that movement in particular, he did say parents in Tabernacle in general were very involved in their children’s education, and it was important to get feedback from parents regardless of whether that feedback was positive or negative.
A familiar face filled Rafferty’s old seat at the March BOE meeting. Former Tabernacle Superintendent Dr. John Sherry, who retired in June 2005, filled in as the interim until the board decided on Rafferty’s long-term replacement.
At a special meeting in August, the Tabernacle BOE unanimously approved Shamong’s Glenn Robbins Jr. for superintendent and Jessica DeWysockie for business administrator/board secretary. Both began in the district Nov. 1.
Robbins comes to Tabernacle from Northfield Community Middle School where he served as principal since 2012, previously working his way up through Egg Harbor Township High School. Robbins is a graduate of Rider University with a bachelor’s of arts degree in secondary education and social studies and Jones International University with a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration. He is enrolled in the American College of Education seeking his doctorate in educational leadership.
DeWysockie, living in Jackson, comes from Ewing Public Schools as an assistant school board administrator since 2010, holding a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Georgian Court University, a state Department of Education Certificate as school business administrator and a New Jersey State Certificate as a qualified purchasing agent from the Department of Community Affairs Division of Local Government Services. She is also a member of the New Jersey Association of School Business Officials and the Association of School Business officials International.
Sherry said he would be serving as the historic mentor for the new superintendent, available by phone and to meet in person for the first year, if the superintendent needs guidance or has questions. The state requires an official mentor assigned by the New Jersey Association of School Administrators, but Sherry will stay on for $100 a month to teach the superintendent the “Tabernacle way.”
Tabernacle School District and Tabernacle Education Association go to mediator for new contract agreement
The Tabernacle School District’s Board of Education Negotiations Committee and the Tabernacle Education Association have been meeting together over the past several months to come up with a new contract for the TSD staff.
The BOE meeting in November told the public the negotiations for the new contract would require a state-appointed mediator. The board hopes a conclusion benefitting all will come soon.
The TEA’s current contract expired on June 30, but by law that contract remains in effect until the board and TEA agree on a replacement contract.
While both sides were able to come to tentative agreements on certain proposals, regarding individual provisions of a new contract, an agreement on an overall new contract has not come to pass.
At the conclusion of the last negotiation session on Thursday, Nov. 3, the negotiations were stuck at an impasse. Pursuant to state law, the services of a state-appointed mediator would be used to hopefully help facilitate a successful conclusion to the ongoing negotiations
Other Tabernacle School District happenings
• In March 2015, the Tabernacle Technology Leadership Committee was formed. The group met 10 times since it was established to survey, research, visit other school districts that use different technologies and listen to vendor presentations from several technology companies.
The group set a goal to create a 1:1 environment for all of the students over the next five years with Apple products. This would require the acquisition of 85 laptops for teachers, 35 laptops and 165 tablets for kindergarten to second grade, 152 laptops for grades three to four, and 349 laptops for grades five to eight.
It recommended the first purchase consist of 85 staff laptops, 80 iPads, 125 elementary school laptops and 200 middle school laptops. This will provide a strong start and will more than likely result in the 1:1 ratio by year four.
The financial proposal for the first year has been included in the budget for the 2016–17 school year.
• Kenneth R. Olson Middle School nurse Eileen Latini was chosen as the Burlington County School Nurses Association School Nurse of the Year and was named the Burlington County School Nurse That Makes a Difference by the New Jersey State School Nurses Association. Tabernacle Elementary School nurse Barbara Wisniewski was the Educational Specialist of the Year at TES.
• Julia E. Sailer was appointed as the new BOE member at the board meeting in July. Sailer would fulfill the remaining, unexpired term of former BOE member Stephen Price until Dec. 31. Price was presented a plaque for his 23 years of service.
• Sherry announced, at the request of the board, that solicitor Cameron Morgan would not be required to be in attendance at the monthly BOE meetings. If there are any questions that require the attorney, they will be jotted down and will be sent to Morgan for answers. Those answers will then be supplied to the board and community as needed. The public clapped upon hearing this change.
• Tabernacle Elementary School and Kenneth R. Olson Middle School both achieved a Bronze Level New Jersey Sustainability Certification from Sustainable Jersey for Schools. Sustainable Jersey for Schools is a certification program for New Jersey public schools that want to go green, conserve resources and take steps to create a brighter future.
• The Tabernacle BOE honored late board vice president Geneva Moore. Board president Victoria Shoemaker and board member John Bulina spoke very kind words in her memory. Her son Samuel R. Moore III, his wife Penny and his son Matthew, accepted a plaque and flowers for her. In honor of Geneva, the Kenneth Olson Middle School’s business office will be named after her.
“I cannot think of anyone who epitomizes the spirit and the soul of Tabernacle more than (Geneva) Moore,” Bulina said.
Board member Antony Laudicina was chosen to take over the role as vice president until the reorganization meeting in 2017.
• The school district is working to become more present on social media. The TSD has updated its Facebook page, www.facebook.com/tabschools, and has a Twitter account, @tabschools.
• Tabernacle Elementary School’s fourth-grade singers were a finalist with nine other local music groups to win a cash prize from 101.1 More FM Philadelphia in its Christmas Choir Competition. The fourth graders’ song, “Ready, Set, Christmas!”, played on 101.1 More FM on Monday, Nov. 28. They were not the grand prize winners, but they did come in third place.
LRHSD upholds policy barring homeschool students from extracurricular activities
In the spring of last year, Tabernacle resident Adam Cunard and his family requested the district to allow him to try out for the Seneca High School football team, despite a policy that makes him ineligible since he does not attend a district school. Cunard and his family had reached out to the district for several few months in an effort to get the policy changed not only for himself, but other homeschooled children, and when they heard nothing, they turned to friends, the community and the media to get the word out to come to the October LRHSD BOE meeting.
Cunard and his mother Marni gave a multitude of reason they believe homeschool students should be allowed to play for the local school district, including paying taxes and social benefits. Marni said she could provide references of character and equivalent education, and how other surrounding school districts allow homeschool students to play.
LRHSD Board Policy №2630 states, “Students who are educated elsewhere than at school are not eligible to participate in LRHSD curricular (e.g. field trips), extra-curricular (e.g. clubs, band) or athletic programs or activities.”
The Cundards came to the November BOE meeting to once again plead their case.
Undeterred, board member Joseph Borucki of Evesham motioned for a vote to not change the policy. He said this is not an educational issue, but an extracurricular one, as extracurricular participation is not a right, but a privilege for LRHSD students. He said the policy is designed specifically for students to ensure a level playing field.
The board unanimously voted in favor of upholding the policy.
Seneca High School’s JROTC program earns recognition
Through its curriculum and leadership training, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program prepares students for a three- or four-year ROTC scholarship at more than 1,000 colleges and universities.
Fortunately for Seneca High School students, their school is the only one in the Lenape regional district that offers the Air Force program.
Before participating in the JROTC Physical Fitness program, all cadets are required to complete the AFJROTC Physical Fitness Program Cadet Participation Consent Form and health screening questionnaire.
All cadets are required and expected to wear the uniform, meet grooming standards and participate in the scheduled PT activities each week. This is all in addition to the prerequisite aviation science, leadership education, and health and wellness classes.
The goal of the JROTC program is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community.
It was confirmed that Seneca High School’s chapter is doing a remarkable job of just that. Because of this, Seneca’s JROTC Unit NJ-20101 earned an overall unit assessment score of “exceeds standards,” the highest rating attainable during its rated unit evaluation on March 14.
Program leaders Maj. (Ret.) Sean P. Hoggs and Master Sgt. (Ret.) John Brooks were recognized for creating a dynamic and supportive learning environment coupled with an excellent community outreach.
LRHSD general happenings
• Up for re-election for the Lenape Regional High School District Board of Education were Medford Lakes representative Steve Lee, Mt. Laurel representative John Jeffers and Shamong representative Ted Shinske.
All three members ran unopposed and won their respective elections.
During its annual reorganization meeting, the board also nominated and approved the appointment of Southampton representative Linda Eckenhoff to the position of board president. Eckenhoff previously served as vice president for the past two years and will take over for Medford representative David Stow, who held the position for 2014 and 2015.
The board then nominated and approved the appointment of Mt. Laurel representative Paula Lee to vice president.
• At the Janurary LRHSD BOE meeting, it was announced Niche.com named LRHSD as №9 in the nation with the best administration for 2016. Niche.com provides K-12 and college rankings based on statistics, student and parent reviews, expert insights, state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT and ACT scores and the quality of administration and teachers.
• Students in the Lenape Regional High School District now are able to use several 3-D printers and other technologically advanced systems, in a district-wide Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math program, thanks in part to a generous grant from BAE Systems, Inc, located in Mt. Laurel.
A $7,500 grant from BAE Systems in 2015 provided the necessary funds for the printers, which students in all four schools in the LRHSD — Lenape, Shawnee, Cherokee and Seneca — are using as part of Project Lead The Way. BAE Systems donated another $7,500 to the district for the program again this year.
The Pathway to Engineering program is a highly competitive program designed to attract and retain students interested in pursuing a STEM-related post-secondary education and, ultimately, career. The Pathway to Engineering program is a four-year sequence of courses that allows students to gain STEM knowledge and learn how to solve problems. The first year is an introduction to engineering design, the third year is principles of engineering, and the fourth year is engineering design and development.
Seneca High School was in its second full year of the program.
PLTW, a non-profit organization, is the leading provider of STEM education curriculum programs in schools across the United States. PLTW works to prepare students for the global economy, one increasingly focused on high-growth and technology-driven occupations.
• In March, the Shawnee-Seneca Iron Devils won the prestigious FIRST Robotics Competition Chairman’s Award for the second year in a row. The Shawnee, Lenape and Seneca high schools’ DECA chapters won their state and regional competitions.
• Seneca High School’s Gabriella Magasic received the student volunteer service award for her school at the May LRHSD BOE meeting. Spreading the idea of volunteering throughout the community was a goal in the work of Magasic, who volunteered at the Animal Welfare Association in Voorhees in addition to work she’s done at Virtua Hospital, National Honor Society and preparing food for the homeless.
• At the beginning of the 2015–2016 school year, the Lenape Regional High School District implemented what Superintendent Carol Birnbohm described as one of the biggest changes the district had ever seen outside of new construction — a new bell schedule.
The former 42-minute-long class periods grew to 57 minutes, days were broken into six periods, and lunch was drastically redesigned to one common “community lunch and learn” period in the middle of the day.
Students now only attend each of their classes three times within a four-day rotation, meeting with different classes at different times depending on what day it is within the rotation.
According to Birnbohm, the proposed benefits of the schedule have been playing out very close to the district’s projections, with increases and improvements to instructional time, staff collaboration and overall efficiency. Birnbohm said the district has observed a reduction in lateness and an improvement to overall daily attendance.
Birnbohm said overall disruptions to classes have also decreased — a trend she said stemmed from the longer period for community lunch and learn in the middle of the school day.
• The New Jersey Association of School Business Officials honored LRHSD business administrator/board secretary James “Jim” Hager with a 2016 Distinguished Service Award.
• Director of programs and planning Matthew Webb said the 2015–2016 school year saw students score an average score of 1589 on their SAT exams. The district’s average score was greater than the state average by 81 points and greater than the average of the entire United States by 99 points.
Webb said the 1589 score was also noteworthy as data released by the College Board shows students who earn a score of 1550 or more on their SAT exams have a 65 percent likelihood of getting a B- or better GPA during their freshman year of college.
Another area of note Webb pointed out was that 85 percent of district students who took AP exams last school year earned passing scores of three, four or five, and 95.5 percent of students in the district graduated last year.
Principal Tony Cattani of Lenape High School said more than $60,000 was donated just last year by students, staff and the community in a variety of ways.
• Seneca High School mathematics teacher and department coordinator Amy Mosser earned the nationally recognized Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, given to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country, and $10,000.
Seneca High School athletics achieve great things this year
• Seneca High School created its first dance team in late 2015, and it had its first performance at the Student Council Charity Dinner.
• Last winter, pole vault was a completely foreign concept to Seneca High School junior Brittney Raffo. She had never competed in pole vault before, instead focusing on gymnastics for most of her childhood.
Raffo ended up jumping her way up the state performance lists and into the record books.
Entering the 2015–16 indoor season, Raffo set a new personal best and broke the Seneca school record at the NJSIAA Group III Relay Championships on Jan. 17 with an 11-foot vault. Raffo reached 11 feet again at the Morris County Coaches Invitational in Staten Island, N.Y., on Jan. 27.
Raffo entered the NJSIAA South Jersey Group III meet with a legitimate chance of breaking the meet record of 10-feet, 7-inches set in 2012 by Moorestown’s Alexandra Elder. Raffo eclipsed the mark on her final attempt of the meet with a 10-foot, 8-inch vault.
Raffo had a 10-foot vault two weeks later in the NJSIAA Group III Championships, qualifying her for the Meet of Champions less than a year after she picked up the sport. At the Meet of Champions, Raffo tied her personal best with an 11-foot vault. Her attempt was good enough to finish in fourth place.
For the indoor season, Raffo won the girls pole vault at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions on June 8, making a 12-foot high vault on her first attempt to clinch the win. The victory was a high point in a season where Raffo established herself as one of the best vaulters in the state.
• Earlier this year, the Seneca High School girls soccer team made it their goal to win the sectional finals, after a heartbreaking loss last season against Toms River South, 3–2.
The team achieved that goal, winning its second-ever South Jersey Group 3 title when the girls came out on top over Highland Regional High School. Highland and Seneca game went to penalty kicks with an outcome of 4–2.
• Seneca senior Mackenzie Hoffman broke the soccer season goals record in the game against Bishop Eustace Prep School and Hoffman broke the record for career goals against Winslow Township. Hoffman had 19 goals for the season and 30 career goals.
• Seneca’s girls volleyball team broke the record for the most wins in a season, 20, coming off a record of 19 last year. It also defeated the girls teams for Cherokee High School and the Eastern High School for the first time in Seneca High School history.
