Shore Regional/West Long Branch Superintendent Will Be Shared With Oceanport

The Oceanport Board of Education (BOE) has passed a resolution that will allow Shore Regional/West Long Branch Superintendent Thomas Farrell to lead the Oceanport School District.

The BOE approved the shared services agreement during Thursday night's meeting at Maple Place School.

"What we are doing is unique and cutting edge," Farrell said about the shared services agreement. "I'm excited about where all three districts are going."

The agreement is subject to approval of the West Long Branch Board, Shore Regional Board, Executive County Superintendent of Schools, Commissioner of Education and final ratification by the Oceanport Board, the resolution states. Once these approvals are made, Farrell will take over on July 1 for current Oceanport Superintendent Andrew Orefice.

Orefice announced his resignation last month to take a "position at a private school for the disabled for the upcoming school year." He will remain as a consultant to Farrell until Aug. 16.

The board also approved a shared services agreement resolution that will allow Shore Regional, Monmouth Beach School District and West Long Branch School District Business Administrator Dennis Kotch to also serve the Oceanport School District. Kotch would also serve as the district's business administrator and board secretary.

Orefice said the shared services agreement will save the district $90,000 a year for the first two years just for sharing Farrell with West Long Branch and Shore Regional.