The school board had the opportunity to hear from several students who came to advocate on behalf of programs that have been curtailed for distinctly different reasons. The clarity and brevity of their presentations were welcome additions to the grind of institutional bureaucracy that accompanies most board meetings.
One student appealed to the board to re-institute The Stock Market Club. Programs such as this are common in middle schools and high schools around the country, and offer insight into the workings of the economy and how the stock market functions. The student making the appeal explained how a flux in leadership had led to an incorrect tabulation as to the number of students involved, and that it actually has up towards 30 members. His presentation also made the case that students today should, more than ever, be aware of the ethical considerations involved in the world of finance. It is difficult to miss the irony in this club being disbanded at this particular time in the history of America; and, the situation could be compared to Tulane University canceling its Meteorology Club. The board appreciated being made aware of the continued interest in the club, and promised to pursue its re-instatement.
Several students came to request that the board make safety compliance a priority with regards to the tech lab and the wood shop. As part of their preparation for NJQSAC monitors coming this December, many important tools operated in both classrooms have been taken out of commission. The relatively new NJSAC requirements cover every aspect of a schools administration, and checklists over a hundred pages long are used to do a self evaluation prior to state monitors visiting the school. The regulations covering the tools used in the wood shop and tech lab are covered under Safe Schools Manual, specifically check lists 45,46,47,48.
The students, representing the Engineering Program, requested that the board expedite whatever changes are required so they may resume their projects at the school. All those present at the meeting were seniors, and felt a distinct disappointment that their final year of study was being dramatically curtailed. The woodshop is focused primarily on larger, furniture type projects; the tech lab employs the tools in the construction of robotic devices that incorporate wood and metal. Although the state directives encourage both schools and inspectors to follow the spirit of the law in terms of judging a site’s safety, there is no guarantee that reason will pervail over rules. The board hopes to comply with state regulations as soon as possible, and there are no plans to out-source the manufacturing to another country.
Another topic that brought both students and parents out was confusion over the school providing transportation to the airport for a band trip to California. Except for the cost of transportaion to the airport, monies for the trip were raised through individual donations and fundraisers. There was concern that, although it had already been budgeted, the school would not be providing the bus transportation for the students and their instruments. The immediate concerns were quickly allieved as the board re-approved the funding; but, the situation brought to light issues concerning future trips. The board will further discuss how to clearly communicate with all school personnel that future resolutions approving trips that involve “no additional costs” be more clearly defined.
The subject expanded into the schools willingness to extend its insurance coverage for many similar trips, and the hope to clarify for the future that the term “at no additional cost” should be taken at face value. Some members of the council questioned whether the school should even be extending its insurance policy to cover similar trips, specifically one planned for Europe at the conclusion of this school year. It was an opportunity for board members Madigan and Belsky to agree on a subject, although they offered unique arguments. Ira Belsky believed that the insurance extension does not incur additional expense on the school and therefore is not a cost containing avenue; Tom Madigan, responding to concerns that an accident on the trip could hike premiums, believed that the council should be thinking like educators and not litigators. The question of the trip to London/Denmark, which was added as an addendum, was removed till a later date.
As previously mentioned, the lack of brevity resulted in an extended meeting. The student council representatives excused themselves as the hour approached 10:30pm, and the board now plans on allowing the student reports to be given earlier.
