Superintendent recommends not renewing shared-transportation agreement with FRSD after missed deadlines

Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Superintendent Jessica Candelosi Haid told the board she will not proceed with a proposed shared-transportation agreement with the Flemington-Raritan School District after FRSD missed two deadlines to finalize the deal.

Candelosi Haid said the districts had drafted a shared-services agreement and she met with FRSD superintendent Dr. McGahn to clarify components and accept requested revisions. The district provided two deadlines to finalize the agreement; Candelosi Haid said FRSD did not meet those deadlines and Hunterdon Central cannot extend the timetable given transportation planning needs for the extended school year in July and the regular year in September.

To ensure transportation routes and schedules are ready, the superintendent recommended not moving forward with the agreement at this time. She said Hunterdon Central will work to dissolve the joint transportation agreement and committee and divide shared assets. The district has already sent FRSD a proposal for dividing assets and expects a response by the end of the week.

Candelosi Haid also responded to remarks in FRSD budget presentations that had referenced rising transportation costs, saying FRSD’s costs have been affected by increasing enrollment, redistricting and the addition of preschool. She noted that FRSD receives an annual reconciliation reimbursement for unspent funds at the close of the fiscal year and said that amount has in some years been close to or over $1,000,000.

The board took no separate formal vote on this item during the meeting; the superintendent presented her recommendation as part of her earlier report and the board discussed it as part of routine organizational items.