The school board for the regional high schools held a public meeting on Monday. Special recognition was given to the IHHS Boys’ track, the RHS Girls’, and the RHS Deca Team for their accomplishments this season. The students are preparing for final exams, so not all recipients were on hand to receive their certificates, but those who did were warmly greeted with applause from the larger than expected audience. Other members of the school community that were honored included the volunteers who helped organize the “Every Fifteen Minutes” program which was held over the course of two days immediately prior to prom. The program involves various members of the community, police, and parents in a re-creation of the impact that drunk driving has on people’s lives.
HS Fields Being Tested for Lead
FieldTurf, the company that installed the artificial fields at Northern Valley High School, completed the same work for the regional schools here during the same time period. Due to the news coverage in New Jersey on the closing of the NVHS fields related to high lead levels, school officials had tests performed here. The preliminary results show levels above the acceptable state standards for soil contamination, and the school will be instituting protective measures till further testing can assess the danger level, if any. Children under the age of 7 will not be permitted on the fields. Those persons using the fields will be instructed to wash their hands and clothing after engaging in any activities on the fields. School officials hope to have more definitive results available by the end of the week.
The North Jersey Media Group is reporting that the tests showed RHS levels of 2400 parts lead per million parts of soil; and, IHHS levels were 2800. The state standard for soil contamination is 400. The University of Massachusetts advises that pregnant women and children should avoid contact with soil contamination over 300.
Conduct Away From School
Discussion on Conduct Away From School was postponed till the June 30th public meeting due to additional changes that are being incorporated. The Board did request a clarification from local police on the process of “Station House Adjustment” as it applies to juveniles who are arrested. Under this program, local police have the option of foregoing the submittal of an official charge in lieu of a conference between the juvenile, their parents, and any victim if there is one. An agreement can be met which provides for the juvenile to make reparations and engage in specific activities that are meant to exhibit an understanding that their behavior is in need of corrective measures. Should the juvenile complete the assigned tasks, and avoid a second or third offense in the agreed upon time frame, they will not be charged. The clarification of this process was offered as defense for the seemingly harsh consequences being suggested for the discipline code. The case being that when the school is notified of a student’s arrest, it will most likely be their second or third offense.
The Station House Adjustment option can be implemented by police for any youth who has been arrested for ordinance violations, petty disorderly offenses, and fourth degree offenses. It does not allow for juveniles arrested for use or possession of a controlled dangerous substance or drug paraphernalia, bias offenses, sexual offenses, offenses resulting in serious bodily injury, or third degree offenses.
Although the subject was not officially discussed, it appeared that concerns still exist with regard to students being subjected to school discipline due to an alleged violation of law rather than a conviction. Courts continue to uphold a school’s authority to impose punishment for behavior unrelated to school activities, and parents have continued to file lawsuits challenging this authority in various districts. The long delay in finalizing this portion of the student code of conduct appears to reflect division with regard to the value of civil liberties and familial authority in conflict with The Boards attempt to foster positive behavior.
Freshmen Transition Teams
A brief overview of additional programs being implemented in assisting incoming freshman with their transition to high school was presented to the board by school officials. The program is meant to help incoming freshmen make a successful adjustment into high school. Faculty advisors interview students in the upper classes for positions of leadership, and then provide the training they will need to act as “peer leaders”. There has been an enthusiastic response by student volunteers, and school administrators are excited that it will offer great benefits to both the freshmen and their older classmates.
Health Agenda Items
The Board addressed two issues relating to the health of the students in the regional high schools. They were both agenda items passed in the course of business. One resolution provided approval for contracting the services of athletic trainers from Valley Hospital Sports Institute. As the contract involves professional services, it did not require public advertising of bids. VHSI will provide services for the 2008-09 year in an amount that shall not exceed $123,000. The other health related issue was a re-visitation of Sprint’s occupation of RHS property for the purpose of maintaining and operating wireless telephone equipment and structures. The resolution passed at the public meeting provided approval for Sprint to sublease their tower space to Verizon Wireless in return for 35% of the net sublease proceeds going to the school district. Sprint presently pays the district $24,000 a year for the lease at RHS; the Verzion sublease only concerns “tower space”.
Final Exams Next Year
As this is final season for local students, questions were raised by residents concerning the scheduling and content of final exams. It was noted that students normally do not have three consecutive days of exams, and traditionally have a weekend to further prepare for the tests. A suggestion was made that next years scheduling take into consideration this fact when scheduling next year’s exams. The subject of the final exams being cumulative was also discussed. The regional high schools do not have mid-term exams, and finals are the culmination of the year’s studies. As final exams are a significant part of a grade average, it was suggested that this design might put local students at a disadvantage. The option of instituting mid-terms had been previously rejected, but The Board would continue to consider not requiring finals to be cumulative, but said that option had also be previously rejected.