Setting Goals for a New School Year

Setting goals for the new school year usually isn't a lengthy process, but Warren Township Board of Education members want to take a little longer to consider exactly what their goals might be.

At the July 18 meeting, Superintendent Tami Crader recommended the board's goals include increasing knowledge and understanding of the new anti-bullying policies (a state requirement), implementation of the 21st Century Skills programs, and completion of a strategic plan.

The board seemed to feel that was fine, as far as it goes: board member Roberta Monahan said it was important to add settling the teachers' contract, but some felt that was not a goal as much as a responsibility.

Board member Tia Allocco also felt having the legislatively-required goal of learning about the new anti-bullying and harassment policies on its to-do list weakened it.

"To me, it seems like a weak goal," she said, since the board has to accomplish it.

After discussion, the board leaned towards creating three groups of goals, including planning, financial and education goals, recommended by Sue Burman.

Dr. Crader was asked to prepare a new set of goals, under those headings, that also included passing a budget.

Bleachers project delayed by manufacturer

The project to replace the bleachers at Warren Middle School will not be completed in early September as had been expected, due to a delay in the manufacture of the bleachers.

Dr. Crader said the delay may mean the project won't be finished until the end of September or possibly early October. She said work on the project would be done on weekends and after school when students return for classes.

On a brighter note, she said the district was able to reduce the cost of the project by $9,500 by recycling the wood planks used in the old bleachers.

Extra kindergarten class kept at Mt. Horeb

Dr. Crader said a third kindrgarten class will be kept at Mt. Horeb School, even though the enrollment is down and the classes will be smaller than other school's kindergarten classes.

Mt. Horeb houses the district's special education programs, and Dr. Crader noted with the number of special education students in kindergarten, and their teachers, "it's a lot of traffic" in the classrooms. 

Board agrees to wrestling group terms

A plan to allow the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association build a facilty on school property took a small step forward, after board members agreed to request a longer term lease with the group.

Under state law, such leases are limited to five years unless a variance is approved by the state education commissioner. The wrestling association had requested a 10-year initial term for the lease to enable it to raise the money needed to build the facility.

Board members approved submitting a request, with a determination expected within several weeks.

This article was edited to correct board member Tia Allocco's point, which was regarding the anti-bullying policy and not the settlement of a contract.