Board Debates Construction Projected Student Enrollment Through 2012 Schools Assessing Space Needs

Volume117 Number 37 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004 75 Cents Projected student enrollment through 2012 Projected total student (K-12) enrollment through 2012* ProjectedElementary SchoolEnrollmentthrough 2012* 5500 2200 2000 1800 5000 1600 1400 4500 1200 1000 800 4000 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 3500 Projected Middle SchoolEnrollment through 2012* 1300 3000 1200 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 *Prepared by Western Suffolk BOCES, Office of School Planning Research. Report presented at the September, 2003 meeting of the Millburn Township Board of Education. 1100 1000 900 Schools assessing space needs 800 700 By Harry Trumbore on a pace set over past years, en- A total of 4,373 district stu- bers are due this fall, but of The Item rollments at four of five of the dents entered kindergarten Brodow said the drop-off in ele- 600 elementary schools dropped though grade 12 last week, ap- mentary school figures does not 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 A report on how new class- from the opening day numbers a proximately 3 percent less than mean the recent construction rooms at township public year ago. the 4,504 enrollment projected program to add classrooms to all schools are being utilized will Total enrollment for the ele- by the Western Suffolk BOCES elementary schools was prema- be presented at the next Board mentary schools was 2,093, Office of Planning. The BOCES ture. of Education meeting scheduled down 54 students from last Sep- demographic report was com- “No, we didn’t overbuild,” for Sept. 27. tember. Enrollment was off by missioned by the board in Janu- Brodow said. He made the point Board member Joshua Scharf as much as 29 at Wyoming ary 2003. that at Wyoming School, music Projected High School Enrollment through 2012* requested the report at Monday School, and only Hartshorn The long range planning courses had been held on the 1800 night’s meeting. showed an increase in enroll- report forecast student enroll- auditorium stage, and at some “Now that construction is fin- ment: an additional six students. ments for a 10-year period elementary schools, special ed 1600 ished, wouldn’t it be beneficial Reviewing the opening day ending in 2012 and projected classes were held in cramped to issue a report on class sizes?” numbers last week, Brodow said continued increases in elemen- “cubbies.” 1400 Scharf asked. He said a report students are expected to contin- tary school populations before Brodow said, if actual enroll- would give the community a ue to come into the district they leveled off after 2006. ments last week came in higher clear view as to how the new during the first two to three However, the BOCES report than projected, the board would 1200 spaces constructed over the past weeks of school. projected a sustained growth in have been criticized for not pro- spring and summer are being “We’ve still registered some the student population figures viding enough classrooms. 1000 utilized. more at the middle school,” he for the middle and high schools “You’re going to get it both Superintendent of Schools said. The superintendent main- over the same period. Sixty ways. In the end, you deal with 800 Richard Brodow said a report tained enrollment projections more students than last year en- the best information you have.” would be compiled by the next are considered to be accurate if tered the middle school last At the present time, the super- 600 meeting. they are within 1 or 2 percent week, while the student popula- intendent said, every elementary 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 While enrollments for the first districtwide. “You’re never tion at the high school rose by school classroom except one is day of school at the middle and going to hit 100 percent,” he 71 students. high schools continued to rise said. Revised demographic num- Continued on Page B12 Board debates Town applying construction for hunt permit opened to students on Sept. 7. as a basis for calculations of By Harry Trumbore On Monday night’s agenda, By Patricia Harris permissible deer lowers the of The Item however, a budget transfer re- of The Item number of deer allowed to quiring board approval along remain. The Board of Education with three change orders for The township will submit its The state has set a standard of Monday night continued an on- work at Hartshorn and South application this week for a 20 deer per square mile for going debate about the way con- Mountain schools provoked permit to conduct a controlled green open space areas and no struction projects were carried heated debate between several deer hunt this season, Timothy deer per square mile for resi- out during the summer. board members as well as be- Gordon, business administrator, dential areas. The township has At meetings in August, board tween the board and the audi- said. 3.5 square miles of green open members discussed the reasons ence. The action follows the Town- space, Gordon explained, and for construction change orders as Board member Joshua Scharf ship Committee’s decision at its using the state’s standards, 70 workers raced to complete class- first questioned the transfer of Sept. 7 meeting to engage in a deer should be permitted to rooms being built at all five ele- $285,000 from monies budgeted deer management program to remain. mentary schools. The classroom for construction at Glenwood control what officials see as a The most recent aerial survey expansion program was funded School to the construction burgeoning deer population in showed 180 deer in the town- by an $18 million bond referen- budget for the middle school. Su- the municipality. The state’s Di- ship, and this year’s hunt will dum approved by voters in Sep- perintendent of Schools Richard vision of Fish and Wildlife reg- seek to reduce the deer popula- tember 2002. Brodow said the monies were to ulates the hunt, which has been tion by 110 deer. Monday night, school officials cover the cost of ceiling and held here for three years, al- Gordon emphasized that noted all the new classrooms are lighting work at the middle though last year the Committee while residential areas were being used. Praise was handed school. decided to pass on the culling considered in calculations, no out to municipal building and “This is an appropriate transfer program. culling will take place in those fire inspectors for their assis- from one part of the budget Gordon said this year’s appli- areas. The hope is that deer now Jim Connelly/staff photographer tance in getting the new learning where money exists to another cation differs from previous ap- occupying residential lands will NIGHTTIME ACTION—Ali Foley (4) of the Millburn High spaces approved in time for the where there was a need,” plications in that the entire town eventually migrate back into School varsity girls soccer team controls the ball against opening of school. Brodow said. “No school will be is now considered a deer man- open spaces, once there is less pressure from West Orange’s Marybeth Riopel in Friday In particular, the school dis- shortchanged.” agement area. The most recent stress on those areas, he said. night’s season opener under the lights. See Page B1 for trict’s custodial staff was com- Board members Carol Marcus aerial survey included both According to the administra- story on the Millers’ 5-1 victory. mended for ensuring schools green open space and residen- were clean and safe when doors Continued on Page B12 tial areas. Using the entire town Continued on Page B12 Please recycle. At least 15% recycled paper. Inside Politics makes good theater. See Page A9. MHS gridiron preview. Story, Page B1. Classifieds B13-15 Editorial A4 Entertainment A8,A9 Public Notices B12 Social A7 For home delivery, Coming events A4 Education A12-A16 Movies A9 Religious news A6 Sports B1-B7 phone (973) 233-5005 Page A2 Thursday, September 16, 2004 THE ITEM of Millburn and Short Hills www.theitemonline.com Town receives funds Restaurant worker Trash drum blazes for play area in park held up at gunpoint under investigation By Patricia Harris mate. By Harry Trumbore St. John Boutique at The Mall By Harry Trumbore Reports of a backyard fire of The Item “Taylor Park has a well-used of The Item at Short Hills the evening of of The Item drew firefighters to a Farbrook playground,” the recreation di- Sept. 3 discovered a fur valued Drive residence the afternoon of The township will install new rector observed. “People drive Police are investigating at $950 was missing. A review Township firefighters were Sept. 4. A police officer who playground equipment in Taylor there for the shade, and it’s claims by an employee of a of store surveillance tapes re- called to South Mountain was first on the scene reported- Park next year, in part using fenced in.” township restaurant that he was portedly showed a woman ac- Reservation Sept. 6 at 10:30 ly extinguished the blaze before funds from a $27,500 grant pro- Hogan said recreation officials robbed at gunpoint Sept. 22 companied by a man and two p.m. after police found two firefighters arrived. vided through Essex County’s applied for the grant in June and while walking to the Short Hills children removing the fur from trash drums smoldering with The cause of the fire was re- local aid program. made a presentation that month train station after work.

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