Ailing Central Regional School Board Member Won't Run for Third Term

An emotional Francis L. Clayton recently announced he will not seek a third term on the Central Regional Board of Education because of health problems.

Clayton, who represents the Ocean Gate sending district, fought back tears when he told the board and audience at the Feb. 17 meeting he was too ill to continue for another three years.

He made the announcement after praising those who had worked to get the Jan. 25 school repairs referendum passed and the residents who voted for it. The question was approved by 18 votes.

"I want to thank everybody, the teachers and the public," Clayton said.  "Without your efforts, we couldn't do it. I like the direction we are going. I'm not going to be running for re-election. I have to take care of my lungs. It's been a pleasure."

"We love you, Frank," said board member Gail Coleman, who represents the Seaside Park sending district.

"Frank, we believe we have the finest board in the county," board member Robert Ray said. "You have my cell phone number. We thank you for all your years of service."

Clayton was appointed to the board in 2004 to fill out an unexpired term. He went on to win two full terms on the board, according to board records.

"I think at this point it's time to step down and let someone else take over," he said. "We have a good board and a great administration. I cannot say enough about the  job they do with the kids."

Superintendent Triantafillos "Tom" Parlapanides also thanked voters from the five sending districts who took the time to go to the polls on Jan. 25.

"It was two votes here, one vote there," he said. "It was a miracle. We really needed it and I thank everybody who went the extra mile."

Voters in Central Regional's five sending districts approved the $5.2 million question by just 18 votes. The final tallies were 1,582 yes  (50.29 percent)  to 1,564 no votes  (49.71 percent) according to election results provided by the Ocean County Clerk's Office.Only 8.78 percent of the 35,828 eligible voters either went to the polls or cast absentee ballots.

Nevertheless, the narrow approval means the school district will be able to proceed with roof replacements in the oldest part of the high school, replace outdated single-pane windows, hook the high school campus up to city water, reconfigure the drop-off area and replace cracked parking lots and pavement. The district also will receive a $1.1 million grant from the state, now that the question has passed.

Board member Robert J. Everett Jr. said the roof and window replacements would come first. The work on the roof in the oldest part of the high school should be completed by September, in time for the opening of school, he said.The window replacements will take a little longer, he said.

"The windows will be a little bit more of a challenge,"said Everett, who is a member of the board's buildings and grounds committee. "It may run into the school year. The repairs are desperately needed. We want to get them done before the hard winter sets in."

Getting the water connection installed may take longer, since the district needs permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection, he said.Paving improvements to many areas of the high school campus will come last, except for the reconfiguration of the parent drop-off sections in the front of the school, Parlapanides said.       .