Lopat: It's not political Township mayor says interest in more seats on Phillipsburg School Board isn't a power grab. Thursday, December 06, 2007 • By ANDREA EILENBERGER • Star-Ledger Staff LOPATCONG TWP. | The township's mayor on Wednesday night defended a push by outlying school districts to secure more seats on the Phillipsburg School Board but insisted it's not political. Township councilmen also disagreed with Tuesday's claim by Phillipsburg council President David DeGerolamo that the districts are making a power grab for more representation. Mayor Doug Steinhardt said they aren't shifting the fight for a new Phillipsburg High School into a political power struggle. He said the focus remains on what is best for the children and the taxpayers, and if the sending districts contribute to the project, the issue of governance should be addressed. "I beg to differ with our colleagues one town away," Steinhardt said. "It has nothing to do with politics." The nearly $100 million high school project halted in 2005 when the state Schools Construction Corp. announced it didn't have enough money to fund all of its projects. School and municipal officials from all involved districts have been holding Key Leaders meetings to strategize ways to make the high school a reality. Steinhardt referred to an October Key Leaders' meeting, when a potential scenario was described in which the state funded Phillipsburg's portion of the new high school but not the remainder. Then, the sending districts could be on the hook for the rest. The outlying districts held their own subsequent meeting, since they were being led to believe that financial burden could fall on them, Steinhardt said. Tuesday, DeGerolamo accused the sending districts of straying from a united push for promised state funding for a new high school. He contended they're trying to gain control of the Phillipsburg School Board. The five sending districts have three regional seats on the 12-member board. Students from the sending districts make up just over half of the high school student population. DeGerolamo declined comment Wednesday night. Steinhardt, who said he wasn't speaking on any other district's behalf, doesn't think any responsible elected official would consider asking constituents to open their checkbooks for such a large amount when they have little to no say on how the money is spent. He said politicizing the issue is a disservice to all involved. Lopatcong Councilman Matt Curry said they're not asking for a say in anything other than high school issues, which he thinks is a fair request. "It's common sense to me," Curry said. "We all say it's about the kids," Lopatcong Councilman Jim Mengucci said. "Let's get it done for the kids." Phillipsburg School Board President Paul Rummerfield thinks representation is important but not the primary issue. "I think we have to again focus on how are we going to pay for it, not how are going to govern it," he said. He understands why some feel board composition is unfair but stressed that it is set by state law. Rummerfield is also unsure whether altering the board would jeopardize Phillipsburg's Abbott status as one of the state's 31 neediest districts. A state Supreme Court decision required the state to pay for building projects in those districts. Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.