August - September 2002 Edition 

Letters on Schools   Board of Education Spending I learned that the Board of Education not only pays 100% of teachers' and I assume other employees' medical insurance but 100% of their spouses'. Is this fair when the insurance costs keep going up and almost no employer pays 100% of even their employees' insurance costs. Resident   Regarding Every Day Obstacle Course (See article) Yes there is a problem with the obstacle course at Forrest School.  But is not for the lack of parking, it is pure laziness through and through. If parents would just park legally, they would only have to walk at most a block and a half. Another part of the problem is some parents are not worried about other children.  Everyone has the same 24 hrs. in the day, it's how we use them that counts. I do realize it is hard raising children today, there is always something going on, but we all must remember, the school, the job, etc will be there tomorrow, your children won't be if we don't slow down and think of others. Judie K.     School Expansion I graduated from Fair Lawn High school in 1970 and at that time we had a graduating class of over 700 students! The population in Fair Lawn back then was nearing 40,000 people and today's population stands around 32,000. We have the same number of schools existing today as we did back in 1970 and a township population that has diminished by approx. 20 percent. I cannot understand why there is discussion of building new schools or adding on to existing schools when the same space back in 1970 was able to accommodate a greater number of students then there is today or anticipated to be in a few more years.     Back in 1970 the High School held three grades (10-12) the two junior high schools each had three grades (7-9) and the township elementary schools were k-6. Possibly that configuration which worked years ago should be considered again. I suggest that those responsible for addressing the space constraints of today look into how the space constraints were handled for a larger school population 32 years ago before we commission expensive studies to determine how space could be better utilized today. Mark Sternberg [From The Editor:  We'll give the Board of Education a chance to respond in our next edition.]   More On School Expansion I have no quarrel with the need for more space for the high school.  I do take issue with the costs involved. Given the current financial state of the State of NJ, I don't think it wise to count on reimbursement from that quarter and  my instincts tell me that the costs are inflated beyond belief.   Is the plan to enlarge the cafeteria an end result of the state's new non-smoking law on school premises and the ensuing problems with area neighbors?  If so, isn't that a bit much to ask the community to foot the cost of providing a "closed lunch" space because of the state's somewhat short-sighted no-smoking mandate?   Lastly and separate from the High School expansion, I have been apprised of a fact which, to me, is very disturbing.  My understanding is that Memorial School, on the west side of  town, no longer offers industrial arts classes, although these classes are offered at TJ on the east side of town.  What happened to our commitment that the middle schools on both sides of town would be equal.  Yes, I am aware that the "answer" to this situation is that  the district has tried and not been able to find an industrial arts teacher.  This I find hard to believe.  At the same time, I have been given to understand that the industrial arts classroom at Memorial is being converted into classrooms for an expanding program for autistic children.  If this is true, it leads me to believe that there really is no search for an industrial arts teacher.  I believe the Special Education program in our town, as in all  others, is an important part of a sound educational program.  However, I fail to understand why the curriculum and course offerings for our mainstream children should be curtailed to provide a service.  I know that Fair Lawn saves money by keeping its learning disabled children in town,  but this savings should not be at the expense of  the curriculum previously offered.    And certainly one side of town should not be treated differently than the other.  There were commitments made in that regard and they should be honored!   Spinner     What Do You Think?: Send an e- mail to editor@fairlawnnews.com or post a message on the Fair Lawn News Discussion Forum.