It would seem to me the lines have been clearly drawn between the BOE members. The 4 for old tyme cronyism, and the 5 who look at things with a different perspective. I wonder if the volunteering and donations will stop. Could those have been "the price of doing business"? Also, how'd you get Herbert to speak? Other than his one word answers at Board meetings, this was like a speech!

Why does a "difference of opinions" get morphed into a "rift?" Public discussion should be viewed as a good sign for BOE decisions in the future. Even the US Supreme court has some 5-4 decisions!

Hey Duke & Max, you just throwing stuff out there to see if something sticks? Where else should someone address accusations against themselves?

Something smells funny, Duke? Must be all that honesty and transparency in the air that blew in with last April's new BOE members. It's a far different smell than what was wafting out of Habel's stable of bobbleheads.

From Merriam Webster - "CRO-NY-ISM: the unfair practice by a powerful person (such as a politician) of giving jobs and other favors to friends"

“He’s on every committee there is to be on. He helps with the Little League, he helps with Pop Warner… and he helped raise all that money for our TV studio and our courtyard project . . . He’s one of those ‘go-to’ people that is willing to help us."

Yes, Ms. Cannon. But does his company provide the best service for the most affordable price? Do you not think we should not take THAT into consideration?

Look all I know based on audios of meetings is that Brown & Brown provided great services for years. Wall BOE benefit costs and increases are better than most if not all at +2% per year. Just because Brown & Brown was hired by prior administration does not mean that they were not the best company for the job. Just saying. Also the fact that a person is a good citizen does not mean he is getting paid off maybe he is just a good guy. Look I dont want to pay more in taxes bottom line because Tavis wants to eliminate crony. Tom do you??

Wall accepted the Gallagher bid for broker services after the official bid was closed. I would like to know why? All other participants had to supply rates and services by a specific bid date. Gallagher at John Tavis's direction provided a bid after the bid process had been closed. Why?

Hang in Mr. Tavis. You are a good and honorable man,

This was an ego driven decision. Board members were looking to change to change for only the sake of change.

Tom F? I am not sure what you mean? There were publications and prior budgets illustrating that Brown & Brown has saved Wall BOE millions and has served them well. I have not seen once piece of information that indicates Gallagher will guarantee the same services in terms of ultimate costs to the Tax Payers. Gallagher has very limited Public Sector experience / business. Let them put the Broker Fees at risk. If they don't meet or exceed targeted increases they forfeit all income.

If Gallagher could furnish case studies regarding public sector cases that they have worked and can illustrate case savings similiar to what we have enjoyed I would be happy for Gallagher to be appointed. Fine by me. Look, I read the papers and watch TV just like you do. The costs associated with health insurance fees are on the rise. A +2% increase per year is a phenominal result. I just want proof that Gallagher can deliever the same results.

Cathy. I agree. If we are going to essentially fire long standing vendors for the sake of change the Board and new vendor should be held accountable for results. I would like an investigtion into the process. I thought accepting bids after provided deadline violated a NJ statute. Look if Gallagher can't get their bid in on time certainly doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy regarding other services they can provide.

Bobbleheads??? Tom, the only bobbleheads I see are Ann, Robin and Eva. Their comments are very obviously carefully rehearsed and approved by Mr. Tavis. They may preach transparency, but dig a little deeper.

Look as a tax payer I want best deal above all. I don't want to spend one cent more than I have to. SORRY I work too hard for my money. I want a broker with skin in the game. I want a fair competition with documented proof the Town has selected best candidates for job. I heard one of the Gallagher reps worked for Connor Strong. Connor Strong was the broker who worked for Wall prior to Brown &Brown. He worked there while the sued board? Was he aware of the suit?

I hope we all known that you can't just go on price alone.if you had a landscaper taking care of your lawn and it was done in a profesional manner would you all of a sudden change to someone based on price alone...especially with a new provider that ha d no experience in your market. If we were all being honest we would say NO. That is a fair critique. The fact that they circumvented the bidding process with allegedly Tavis's help is even more disturbing. If the accusations are true then it is alarming that Tavis is tarnishing and influencing the process. Has the public truly vetted Tavis. Why was he forced out as an administrator?

100% true. Wall Business office accepted late bid from Gallagher. All bids should have been received and date stamped by April 25th. Travis pushed the issue. I know Gallagher delivered late bid. Someone should OPRA timeline and Gallagher's winning bid. That's what bothers mean. Gallagher is cheapest but they submitted number after deadline. TAXPAYERS WILL PAY

Did you listen to the audio on the Wall Schools website? Brian Smyth stated this wasn't a bid process. It was a request for a proposal. The rules for Bids and proposals are different. I would suggest you listen to the recording before you pass judgement .

RFP's have due dates also. They are not open ended. Don't try to mislead people.

Tom Wall patcher readers are curious - how many names are you working? How many aliases? How many personalities? We are all so sorry for you. If there is anything we can do to help, please reach out. There are professionals who can help you through this traumatic time. Stay well my friend.

I would have to think that our Business Administrator, who is paid $160,500 per year and our BOE Attorney would never have allowed Gallagher to be considered had that been the case Duke. if what you say is true, then the last minute price by Brown & Brown should have not even be brought under consideration.I want to know how Brown & Brown found out about the price given by Gallagher that enabled them to counter offer . It would seem information was leaked to them. Isn't that unethical?

I listened to the minutes from Board Meeting. Frankly as a Wall taxpayer I was offended on just how poorly we treated Brown & Brown. 1) Tavis with comments on fee padding? 2) Citizen comments indicating that Brown & Brown did a terrible job? Guess what, state rates are going up double digits 1 2013. Wall BOE's health benefits plan costs have increased +2% per year and Wall is paying less now than 10 years ago for benefits. Board wants a new vendor, fine/ great yet as a member of the Wall public I want our community to be somewhat respectful of a company by all accounts who has served our community well. I move there should be a public apology to issued Brown & Brown. We don't want to use them fine, yet they deserved a shred of respect for a 10 year proven track record. I am embarrassed.

Part one: I apologize, I was writing as fast as I could.
Joe Tonzola
Proposals and bids I have found out recently work differently.  You do not have to go out to bid for the proposals.  That’s where I…. I worry about last minute quotes…. Both these companies are at the same spot right now with the three year quarantee of price.  We as a board have the right any time to  (he then gives a d
 
 
 
Michael Gross:
Difference between quotes (RFPs) and bids:
“Request for proposals are like quotes, they are not required to have specifications that need to be specifically met when (we do a contract for) specification for a bid you have to be compliant for a bid…..  When you are dealing with a request for proposals or quotes, those same restrictions (of a bid) or hard line don’t apply because there is more leeway”
 

Teacher, the entire Wall community should be embarrassed by the antics and staging that occurred that evening. It was appalling. Teachers are role models or should be. The disturbing rants and cackles from Mrs. Patterson are sickening. teachers like that - with behavior so juvenile and classless should not spend another day in the classroom. Since when did 30 teachers give a care about the broker. Really? What a facade but so well orchestrated Tavis, Cervantes and Moonan and Applegate. Well orchestrated. Is this what we will expect? You are no community leader. You are not role models. Power and control corrupts.

 
 
 
Part two:

 
Brian Smyth:
“I want to clarify or qualify what exactly there was referred to as late, as it was not a bid, there was not a set hard deadline.   We advertised, requested proposals for the health benefit broker services, gave a deadline for when we wanted to receive them by, I guess the day was April 25th, I don’t recall that.   (small rambling went on to discuss what the deadline date was as Mr. Smyth did not have the paperwork in front of him).  The following committee meeting of F & F we interviewed two firms, Gallagher was not one of them and subsequent to that F & F meeting we received the proposal from Gallagher.  He contacted me and asked me if we would consider it,   I said ‘you could submit it and we can take a look at it’.  It was a proposal for $55,000 and I forwarded it to the committee for consideration.”  
 
Joe Tonzola:
“You do not have to go out for a bid for a proposal, with a bid, we set the standard the bid goes out, it is advertised and those people then apply for it but there is a deadline. Proposals and quotes I am finding out work out differently

My above postings are from the audio of the meeting Tuesday Night. I apologize. Still trying to master my new IPad. Cut and paste is tough.

So many of the comments above are childish. The real issue is that many left over policies, partners, companies with whom the district has done business need to be checked out. Whether you believe it or not, the past adminstration was corrupt on so many levels. Habel's vacation days being the newest swindle. The new board members may not be perfect but they are honest, actually give a damn about the children in our town and are doing the best job. I can tell you for a fact, Habel did not feel nor do the same. I have respect for some of the Old Guard as well but they need to move on. We need fresh eyes, ears and minds in Wall. B&B has been able to change costs whenever necessary. It's happened before. Doesn't that smell foul to you?

Look prior guard could be corrupt, very corrupt. Yet, B&B as an organziation has been professional, upstanding and has provided great services. I get and also feel some contempt as a tax payer, $400,000 buy out OUCH.

Yet frankly, Brown & Brown is taking a beating because they were retained during the Habel administration. Gallagher makes 5% of premiums on cases they work, it is public knowledge. Check Erisa filings. Gallagher has cases on the books similiar in size where in which their fees are in excess of $100k.

In fairness to the decent folk who work hard at Brown & Brown it would be nice if the individuals on this board many of which know so little about the insurance industry stopped commenting. Brown & Brown has been pubically critized yet still Wall BOE has had well controlled benefit insurance costs under Brown & Brown's guard - all else is subjective. Before someone else begins to slurry these individuals please think again. The represnetatives assigned to Wall were some very decent individuals who stopped themselves dead in their tracks to help individuals with insurance claim problems.

I would however like to start a movement. I belive the Board should re-open the bid and ask Betsy Cross a Wall resident to represent the Board of Education on all employee benefit insurance matters. Betsy has been a reinsurance broker for 10+ years. She is a tax payer and will be certain no extra dollars are spent needlessly.

I second this comment. I call on John Tavis to immediately re-open bid process and recruit Betsy Cross. Betsy Cross broker and Wall resident. I AM IN. As a taxpayer I would prefer a Town resident represent us. We simply need to use individuals from Town who have to pay Wall taxes like the rest of us.

Hahaha! Hey "Lisa M". You have to make sure to log out of one name and log in to your other fake identity BEFORE you second your OWN MOTION!! That is priceless. You must REALLY be a fan of Betsy Cross!

She probably is Betsy Cross.

Hahaha! That is priceless Tom. Hey Tom . You should refrain from giving advice on matters you 'claim' not to know anything about. Thanks for the validation!

Dont look folks. Looks like Tom himself in a snare and its not pretty. . Do not think we are so naive to fall for your red herring 'I use my real name' facade. Funny but so transparent. You must really.........

Funny stuff. Lisa M, I agree with some of what you have said yet you can't second yourself too funny. Tom sorry about your cat. Duke I don't give my last name on boards - don't feel like fighting with the neighbors.

Regarding this topic, hope Board members namely Board President treats future and existing professionals more appropriately in the future and spends time focusing on material matters not all of the subjective stuff.

John Tavis may be a good man and if he is good. From outside looking in, looks like John wanted to change brokers to change brokers.Gathered public support. Forced the issue. Wouldn't recuse himself. He got caught up in his own ego. Stopped looking at the facts, twisted some material details, like why is Gallagher willing to work for less than industry standard? Late bid? Ok he didn't kill anyone.

John if you are out there you can do the right thing. Issue a public apology to the professionals who have spoken so poorly about, recognize they did a good job and move on, you won. Again, Brown & Brown reputable firm, appeared to have done well by Wall. I think an apology should be issued - hated that antics.

After listening to the audio of the recent BOE meeting, I noticed Mr. Simon was not very vocal. This district is a runaway train driven by Mr. Tavis. Some friendly advice for Mr. Simon.... Time to be assertive and take charge. You are the Superintendent, not Mr. Tavis. Takeover before the train crashes and burns!

@Mr. Coyle, it is better to be kind than mean and better to be a positive voice than an provoker. Have followed Patch and sometimes you come off like a bully. Have yet to read one insightful comment or one positive contribution that you have made.

@All - The new board does not - does not - run the district. They give the impression they ran to be superintendent, business administrator and curriculum director. The middle school schedule is a mess because they have taken on much more that their role as a board. Change for change sake is a slippery slope.

Lastly. Mr. Simon. Please lead and do not follow. It has been long enough.. say something. do something. stand for something.

Coyle - surely you are joking. You are the king - the number one champion of the Wall world of "inane ramblings spurred by personal vendettas". Buddy - you really need to take a good hard look in the mirror. The denial is oh so understandable sprinkled with a dash of funny.

Not a shred of denial on my part. I am well aware that I come off as a bully to some. And I have a clearly stated vendetta that I will not abandon until Dierdre Kuckucka, Missy Peters, Donald Herbert, and Laurie Cannon, are no longer on the Wall Township Board of Education. That goes for anyone else who tries to close a school in this town for no apparent reason, save for the blind support of an egomaniac.

Is that clear enough for everybody? Good. I'm off to enjoy the rest of my weekend. Catch ya later.

He has exorcised the demons for us. A “Laces out, Dan” moment. 'Cause we all know you will be back to read - An angry man is vindictive beyond measure. The entire town knows what your - concerns - are Mr. Coyle. We are just so happy that you are disclosing your anger issues here (publically and forever) so that we can never forget what you only and only and only care about. Have a great weekend in West Belmar but remember - West Belmar is nothing without Wall.

Didn't Lake Como successfully create a sucession plan from Belmar? Could West Belmar use their passion and energy to start a movement. It could be a win-win for everyone.

Who will be running the new 'independent thinkers' campaign? Tom or Todd Harvey. Mickey or Todd? Eva or Todd? Robin or Todd? Anne or Todd? Just wondering?

And people wonder why the Board is going to limit public comment to 10 minutes and how things got out of control over the years.... lets stick to the topic, try and work together and come up with ideas to make things better instead of pointing fingers. agree to disagree and move on.

@ Really B&B fees included an advocacy program, printed literature, call center, occassional staffing for Board. Two teachers? How many teachers does $500,000 a year in savings help? That is what B&B recommendations saved Wall BOE. Wall BOE pays less now in 2012 for insurance than they did in 2007. AND Less THAN State plan. Gallagher would normally charge $140,000 for a case of this size. OPRA it, ITS TRUE. @ Really, no offense you have zero idea and REALLY zero idea what you are talking about. B&Bs fees where set by the Board. Board had option of including services or not.. 55k was all things being equal. My goodness, you are terribly misinformed. Poor thing. Go back to your cartoons.

Also @ Really... I hope you are a teacher. Your payroll contributions will go up when your premiums increase. Thank you Chapter 78. THANK YOU. You don't pay for Broker services but you do pay for a percentage of your health insurance premiums. I wonder how good you will think Gallagher is doing with big increases in payroll contributions. So ALL WALL BOE TEACHERS HAVE DECIDED TO PLACE THEIR PAYCHECKS ON AN UNKNOWN BROKER WHO GAVE A LOW BALL BID? This is REALLY going to be fun.

@ John Tavis - By the Way, If you are wrong about Gallagher and health insurance premiums go up, causing teacher payroll contirbutions to go up, how will Wall compensate the staff of this district. John would love to hear from you.

I am surprised the teachers were not more vocal on this. B&B was there for the teachers through difficult health related decisions. Not that Gallagher won't, but B&B was such a proven organization. Especially if they were willing to change there bid. Even if at the end. That is business. Happens every day.
I repeat...Tavis has been disappointing on this issue. Mr. Simon please step up.

Liz,

Thank you for your obviously insider response. I unfortunately have to rely on what I hear at BOE meetings and then on the audio tape.
My question still is,
How did B&B find out about the quote by Gallagher? Would that information have come from a committee meeting that is private and not allowed to be leaked to the public?
Were all of these questions regarding the difference between B&B and Gallagher asked and answered at your private committee meetings?
Lastly, why do you continue to beat a dead horse when the bigger issue here is the theft of $400,000.00 by a overpaid Ex-Administrator?
Who checks to see if he took days off? Who was he held accountable to? Is there a Truant Officer for Superintendents?

Habel is a piece of garbage. This should be checked in to. He was never concerned about the students. He had to many BOE puppets.