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Downe School Issues Web Log
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November 4, 2005
YOUR SCHOOL'S BUILDING PROJECT
In March 2004, the Board of Education held a public hearing for our 2004-2005 school budget to get public input for a proposed (4) four classroom addition for our school. The prospects of the state paying for 56.71% of the costs of constructions and the district paying 43.29% for the project were well received by the public. The Board of Education transferred our share of the project out of the capital projects fund to the 2004-2005 budget for voter approval. The budget calling for a zero tax increase was overwhelmingly approved and the Board of Education started the process moving forward.
Cost of Project $1,026,293.00
SCC Fee $ 102,629.00
Total Cost of Project $1,128,922.00
·
How Paid ForLocal Share
Capital Projects $ 438,710.00
Township Committee $ 50,000.00
State/SCC Share $ $ 640,210.00
Total Funds $1,128,920.00
The following letter will be delivered to the Downe Township School Board, the Downe Township Committee and to Mr. Frank DiDomenico, Esq.
January 15, 2005
Downe Township Board of Education 220 Main Street Newport, NJ 08345 Downe Township Committee Sharp Lane & Route 553 Newport, NJ 08345 Mr. Frank DiDomenico, Esq. Vineland, NJ Subject: Hiring of Frank DiDomenico by Downe Township Committee To whom it may concern.The residents of Downe Township are facing another issue which could cost them thousands in unanticipated legal fees for both the Board of Education and the Township Committee.
Here are the facts, strange as they seem.
The Downe Township Committee voted to hire a new attorney to replace retiring solicitor James Seeley.
The Downe committee chose to hire long-time Board of Education solicitor, Mr. Frank DiDomenico.
Regardless of any potential legal or ethical issues, Mr. DiDomenico should NOT be representing both the Downe Board of Education and the Downe Township Committee.
If the voters of Downe Township reject the school budget during any year that Mr. DiDomenico is representing both the board and the committee then Mr. DiDomenico will be required to recuse himself from both boards.
When Mr. DiDomenico is removed from the two solicitor positions both the school board and the committee will need to find separate legal counsel.
The unanticipated--and potentially costly--fees to be paid to additional attorneys will add to the fees we are paying but unable to utilize because of the conflict.
The Downe Township Board of Education needs to do the right thing. The Board needs to ask the Township Committee to reconsider their hiring of Mr. DiDomenico. If the committee fails to remove Mr. DiDomenico then the school needs to find other council to replace him.
Frankly, Frank, I think it is your responsibility to inform the Township Committee that you have been solicitor for the school board for 15 years and that you'd like to stay as their solicitor. You should remove yourself from the conflict by not being the Township Committee's solicitor.
There is no reason for the residents of Downe Township to pay additional fees for part-time legal council during any school budget meetings.
Work it out, folks. Do what is right for the residents, the students and both boards: keep Mr. DiDomenico as solicitor for the School Board and find other council for the Township Committee.
Sincerely,
Bernard Sayers
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Bernard Sayers
Downe Township Board of Education
Items within this section relate to the Downe Township School Issues which covers Board of Education issues; Technology Issue; Curriculum Issues; and tax issues as they relate to our school system.
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