October - November 2002 Edition 

The Referendum  By Amy Sutnick   Passage of the upcoming bond referendum will pay for expanding and modernizing Fair Lawn’s aging school infrastructure. On December 10th, Fair Lawn residents will be asked to vote on whether to construct additions on three schools and renovations at all schools.    School administrators say that the upgrades and additional space will enable them to improve the quality of Fair Lawn's schools, to better prepare children for college and careers in today’s world of highly-skilled jobs and multinational businesses.   According to superintendent Bruce Watson, these improvements are important if Fair Lawn is to continue to be a good school system, and prepare kids for global competition for jobs.     If passed, the referendum will enable Fair Lawn to take part in the state’s Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act, which reimburses Fair Lawn taxpayers for 30 to 40 percent of the cost.    If the referendum passes, taxes will increase about $138 per year or $11.50 per month for the average Fair Lawn home.    According to local realtors, the quality of schools is an important draw to house hunters.  According to realtor Shirley Herwig, “There is a definite correlation between real estate values and a strong school system. That is one of the first questions that people ask me. How are the schools? The property value is greatest in those towns that support their schools.”   The referendum calls for additions to the three Fair Lawn schools plagued by overcrowding: Fair Lawn High School, Warren Point and Radburn.  In deciding to propose a referendum, the school board projected that the school population will continue to increase throughout the district.   Crowded, outmoded facilities at Fair Lawn High School Students at Fair Lawn High School are jam packed.  Students get shut out of electives because there isn’t available classroom space to open another section.  They go out to lunch because there isn’t enough room in the cafeteria.  This year, some students are starting class at 7:00 AM; by afternoon they’re exhausted.    Dramatic advances in technology and science have taken place since the last construction was done on the high school, forty years ago.  These changes drive the need for more science and computer lab space, along with more space for the growing ESL (English as A Second Language) program, and special education populations.   The referendum will fund the renovation of several classrooms, including science labs, a computer lab and a media center.  It will fund the construction of new classroom space, a new gym, a new cafeteria and space for orchestra and band rehearsals.  Administrators say that the new space will enable them to offer additional electives and improved extracurricular activities.  Class length will be expanded from 45 minutes to one hour, allowing for more in-depth study.   The new gym, renovated auditorium and Sasso Field will be designed so they can be more accessible to community groups and recreation center programs.   Warren Point:  The Most Crowded School In Town Warren Point holds the dubious distinction of being the only school in Fair Lawn to hold classes in trailers.  Because of the tight space, the school no longer has a music or art room.  The plan calls for more classroom space and a new media center.   Radburn School: A 1920’s Landmark To Be Modernized When Radburn was built in the 1920s, all of the students went home for lunch.  To this day, the school has no cafeteria or kitchen.  The basement multipurpose room holds only half of the school's students so there cannot be programs for the entire student body.  With its growing number of students, Radburn desperately needs new classroom space.  Plans for Radburn include new classrooms and a “cafetorium” (combination cafeteria and auditorium).   Thomas Jefferson Middle School will receive a new boiler and roof.  Thomas Jefferson, Memorial, Milnes, Lyncrest, Forrest and Westmoreland will all receive new fire alarm systems.   For More Information The school board has set up a 24-hour phone hotline.  If you have questions, call 201-791-8777 or visit www.fairlawnschools.org