October - November 2002 Edition 

Why, Why, Why Fair Lawn News readers have asked several questions about the school referendum.  The Board of Education answers them. Don’t we already have enough classroom space for our high school students?   Based on the current curriculum structure, there is little or no room to expand the number of sections of a course or increase course choice. Without the addition of classroom space, and with the anticipated enrollment increases, elective courses will have to be slashed to accommodate mandated courses, this will negatively affect the post-secondary educational opportunities that have been traditionally afforded Fair Lawn’s children.   Why can’t we just add more students to each classroom?   The State standard for space in a general classroom is 850 square feet. Physical classroom space in our older schools, like most classrooms in Fair Lawn schools, are smaller than the current State standard. Based on this State criterion, the average of all Fair Lawn elementary classrooms in each building is below the current State standard for the average classroom.   Simply increasing the number of students per classroom will increase the student to teacher ratio.   Years ago, space requirements for each student were lower; why are they so high now?   We are keeping up with the changing educational needs of the time. Modern classrooms, according to State guidelines, have greater specialty requirements, necessitating lab rooms, which add to space requirements. All courses are different, from sciences to physical education, and the new models require more facility space. Also, the inclusion of special education instructional space — required by State mandate — adds to the per-student space requirements.     Why have a referendum now?  Some of the reasons the board of education proposed the bond referendum at this time include: - the need to address current and future needs in the changing educational program - the need for additional classroom space to accommodate a growing student population  -  the opportunity to take advantage State Department of Education funding, which reimburses a percentage (30-40 percent) of eligible costs to New Jersey taxpayers who pass a bond referendum - very favorable interest rates in a strong New Jersey bond market.