Longtime Holmdel School Board Attorney Retires

Martin "Marty" Barger, who has served as Holmdel school board attorney for 35 years, said Tuesday that he will leave the board effective March 1.

The school board is expected to accept his retirement at their meeting Wednesday evening at the Satz School library. His written statement indicates he is leaving for personal reasons, said Board President Ana Vander Woude. 

Michael Gross of the Red Bank law firm of Kenney, Gross, Kovats and Parton will take Barger's place to finish the fiscal year June 30, pending board approval.  The firm has served as Board of Education’s labor/negotiation counsel for the 2012-2013 school year.

"Despite the fact that no one can replace Marty, they will leave us in good standing," said Vander Woude. "I couldn't think of a better firm than them to step up and 'take the baton.'" 

A vote to approve his retirement is included in the Feb. 27 board agenda and "is subject to the completion of pending open matters." 

Barger was paid a $27,000 retainer for attendance at 24 board of education meetings a year, and to handle related legal board matters, said Vander Woude. Outside of those duties, his Shrewsbury law firm was paid $110 an hour to provide additional legal services to the district when necessary.   

Gross's firm will be paid $145 an hour for general counsel, which is the same rate it was recently paid for negotiation services.