Board of Education Talks About Evacuation, Honors Retirees

By MADDY VITALE A day after Ocean City High School was safely evacuated following a shooting threat posted on social media, officials say there are “some things we need to work on.” “I think it’s important we learn from yesterday,” Mayor Jay Gillian said Wednesday. “It’s a good way to analyze what we did and what can be done better. As a community it’s important we work together on the safety of our children.” The incident came up during a Board of Education meeting Wednesday night. Ocean City Board of Education President Joseph Clark said that he was at the Sports & Civic Center in his position with the city. He was working as the City Purchasing Manager when the incident was unfolding. “I saw everything went very systematically," Clark said during the meeting "The buses came. I saw administration in all different roles." Clark noted that some things were “good,” while other things could have been handled differently. Ocean City Police, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, K9 units from several agencies, the FBI and Atlantic City Bomb Squad, responded to the high school Tuesday. Students were safely evacuated and sent home for the day and the area was searched. No one was injured and authorities believe that the threat was not credible. School resumed Wednesday. While one person asked during Wednesday's meeting, why there was an evacuation rather than a lockdown, some others touted the district for its swift response and careful handling of the matter. Robin Shaffer, an Ocean City parent, said he "understands the children were frightened by yesterday's evacuation at the high school." “But I also believe the staff acted swiftly and with the safety of the children foremost in their minds,” he said. The audience fills the library at the high school. During the meeting Shaffer told the board that he believed, “we need to beef up our vetting process for visitors as well as staff to ensure no one with a dangerous criminal background has access to our schools and our children.” He mentioned the possibility of the district considering installation of “unobtrusive metal detectors at the entrances to our schools and have random sweeps by drug sniffing dogs.” In addition to discussion about the evacuation, there was a heartfelt tribute to retiring Ocean City Primary School teacher and coach, Mikenzie Helphenstine, who is battling cancer. Principal Cathy Smith and teachers gathered to recognize her. “Mikenzie, to all of us at the Primary School, is who we look to to inspire us to be the best we can be,” Smith said. “No matter what obstacles you faced, you preserve.” Smith also said were her voice choked with emotion, “Mikenzie Helphenstine is unshakable, not because you don’t know pain or failure, but because you always push through – because you always show up and never give up.” The two hour meeting also included the honoring School Board member Jim Bauer who served on the board for 35 years. His last meeting was Wednesday. “It’s an honor to work with you,” Clark said, noting Bauer’s institutional knowledge, as he presented him with a pin. Bauer said in response, “It’s been a pleasure. It’s the premier high school in all of South Jersey and I am very proud of that.” Board member Jacqueline McAlister was among the board members who thanked Bauer for his time on the board. “Mr. Bauer, you are a kind gentleman," she said. "Thank you so much for your service.” School Board member Jim Bauer, left, receives a pin for his years of service, from School Board President Joseph Clark. Drew Fasy, a parent of a high school junior, noted that all of the board members have worked tirelessly and “under extreme conditions,” over the past two years. “The current administration and Board of Education are looking out for the best interests of the kids,” Fasy said. “They were able to have our schools open on a modified schedule last year and got us back to a “normal” schedule pretty quickly.” In other matters, Interim Superintendent Dr. Tom Baruffi was praised for his handling of the district coming on board during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Baruffi became the interim superintendent in June. He is in the temporary role while a nationwide search is conducted to replace Dr. Kathleen Taylor, who retired in August as Ocean City’s superintendent of schools. Mark Napoleon became the interim high school principal with the retirement of Matt Jamison. Paul Matusz, president of the Ocean City Education Association, said that under Baruffi, the working relationship in the district has “greatly improved.” “Together we can focus more effectively. The 219 teachers that I represent feel that we are in a better place because of our change of leadership," Matusz said. "All of us stand before Dr. Baruffi, members of the (Board of Education) board and Mr. Napoleon.  Thank you again. We look forward to moving on the next chapter.” And Kathy Sykes, who has worked in the Ocean City School District for 25 years and is retiring next month, spoke of the improvement in the environment since Baruffi was hired. “I would like to specifically thank the Board of Education for hiring Dr. Baruffi,” she said. She told the board not to be too quick to hire a permanent superintendent. “Please do not rush your search for new superintendent,” Sykes said. “Under the leadership of Dr. Baruffi, we are heading in the right direction.” The Board of Education listens to the presentation for Mikenzie Helphenstine.