THE WESTFIELD LEADER LETTERS to the the Scotch Plains Y.M.C.A
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THE WESTFIELD LEADE The Lending and Most Widely Circulated Weekly Newspaper In Union County UHPS GH0D20 Published EIGHTY-NINTH YEAR — No. 41 Second Clasn Pontagft Paid WESTF1ELD, NEW JERSEY, THURSDAY, MAY 17, l<!7!> Every Thursday 22 Pages—20 Centi nl WOHIUPM. N. J. Greene Opts to Close Lincoln, Grant Schools Westfield School Superintendent Laurence F. Greene Prior to Greene's report to the board, a spokesman for wide school for emotionally disturbed students, and four Accepting the challenge of meeting educational fiscal recommended Tuesday night to the Board of Education the Concerned Citizens of Westfield pleaded, as they did small elemenlary schools, Grant, Lincoln, McKinley and problems, Dr. Greene said that his recommendations that two elementary schools — Grant and Lincoln — be in a full page ad in last week's Leader, for additional Washington — were mentioned in Dr. Greene's report in were made with "all things considered." He asked the removed from service in June, 1980, and that im- timeto study the effects of any school closings. A handful January. board to study the recommendations over the next month plementation of a middle school concept for grades five of the approximately 200 residents at the meeting at "At an early town meeting," he said, "a citizen ad- before making a decision, lie asked for citizen in- through eightbe delayed until at least 1983 or 1984. Grant Franklin School spoke at the conclusion of the long board vised me to make recommendations based solely on volvement in serving on advisory committees. has a current school pppulation of 284; Lincoln has 305. session asking for definitions of the school district education. I have done exactly that. No recommendation "The most important task facing all of us is to main- Dr. Greene further recommended that no additional problems and additional studies. of mine has any relationship to the .subject of alternate tain and to improve the excellence of the Weslfield elementary schools be closed in 1982 as he had originally Dr. Greene asked the Board of Education to make a uses of any buildings." schools," he said. proposed in January. These had included Washington decision on June 14 and to form advisory committees He noted each of the buildings mentioned in January "Perhaps this date will mark a resurgence of interest and McKinley Schools. under each recommendation. If the board votes to close has been visited by interested people; however, he ad- in the future of public education in Westfield." The superintendent also recommended that the school Grant and Lincoln Schools, the following four com- ded, "Should the board decide to close schools, the way Dr. Greene's report includes back-up information and district delay going to a four-year high school until at mittees could be formed: would be open for active consideration of proper alter- charts concerning student enrollment, present and least 1983 or 1984. -(-An Advisory Redistricting Committee to form new nate use." projected future, and available classroom space for the elementary school districts, Dr. Greene's rationale for retaining McKinley School four categories of students to be served in the elementary -1-An Advisory Committee for a Four Year High School on the southside of town and Washington School on the schools: regular classes, self-contained special to begin study of the needs of that organization, northside included a response to citizen concerns about education classes, resource rooms for handicapped -I-A Middle School Advisory Committee to study distance, safety and neighborhood schools students and kindergarten classes. His report includes 41 phasing in of an upper elementary grade and-or grades "Both the Grant School district and the Lincoln School pages, 16 of which are floor plans showing available at a suitable date, and district were clearly a gerrymander structured classroom space in the elementary schools. -(-A Cooperative Use Advisory Committee to study deliberately to gain equality of student load at each Copies of Dr. Greene's report have been placed in each potential shared use of six elementary schools and the school," he said. school, in the municipal library and in the administration two intermediate schools in Westfield. Dr. Greene said that he has the promised volunteer building for interested citizens to see. Dr. Greene's recommendations on Tuesday night help of citizens, the Union County traffic office and the The superintendent's amended recommendations were reflect a change in his original proposals made in police to develop a plan over six months to form new presented to the School Board and public on May 15. The January when he suggested that two elementary schools school districts for the six remaining elementary board has a special meeting scheduled for June 14 to vote could be closed in 19B0, two more closed in 1982 and that schools. on the recommendations. the school district be reorganized from a kindergarten Dr. Greene said he believes that the following five Greene's original proposal concerning long-range through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade and considerations can be accomplished with a redistricting plans for school building needs was the result of one of tenth through twelfth grade organization to a 4-4-4 or plan: elementary students can be moved back to schools (Continued on pag«4) Middle School plan. closer to their homes, crossing of main routes can be Since January there have been 10 town meetings, 11 reduced, distances students now travel can be main- James J. Krieger was appointed faculty meetings, three formal board hearings and a tained or reduced, more neighborhood-like districts can Board of Education assistant superlntentboard secretary by number of other meetings with local organizations at be established instead of the present gerrymander, and the Westfield Board of Education at its which Dr. Greene presented his original proposals and the district's present position of equal educational op- regular May meeting Tuesday night. recorded input from the staff and the public. portunity can be maintained. To Organize Tuesday Krieger is presently the business ad- "I did listen," he said. "I did rethink my recommenda- The superintendent's timeline proposes that the The 1979-80 Board of making body for the ministrator-board secretary for the Glen tions. I did review my data." redistricting plan be developed from next October Education will hold its Westfield public school Rock Board of Education. He will begin The superintendent said his four recommendations through March and that the board act on its im- organization meeting at 8 system. Board members are his duties in Westfield on or about Aug. 1 were based on three major criteria: educational sound- plementation in June, 1980. p.m. on Tuesday in the elected by citizens for three and will replace Howard Tornlinson who ness, fiscal soundness and the "historical tradition of "With reduced enrollments, reduced state aid, reduced board room at 302 Elm St.year terms, on a staggered plans to retire after more than 30 years Westfield." spending limits, inflation, impending contract Present members who basis, at annual school of service in the Westfield public Six school buildings — the Elm Street administration negotiations, and especially escalating energy costs, will continue lo serve on the elections. schools. building, Columbus School which is leased to the Union fiscal integrity is linked inseparably with quality school board are: Joan This year's school election County Educational Services Commission for a county- education," Dr. Greene said. Corbet, Marilyn Gulotta, was held on Apr. 3. Citizens Eleanor Kalbacher, William elected Esson, Sullivan and Liggitt, Thomas Sullivan, G. Unger to three-year terms To Recognize Firemen Two New Officers Holland Van Valkenburgb and approved the 1979-80 New Faces in 1st, 4th Ward Council Races Join Police Force and Carmen Vitale. school budget. For Aid to TerrierH Robert Esson and Joan Board duties include .Deputy Fire Chiefs Paul Baltilorcj and Walter Ridgy Two rookies officers have Unger will officially join the policy making, appointment and Fireman Ralph Buonanno and Volunteer Fireman recently joined the Wesl- school board Tuesday by of school personnel, ap- Robert Brennan will be presented with cerlificale.s of field police force. Paul F. taking an oath of office for proval of textbooks and appreciation from the Humane Society's New Jersey Banach of Carteret started three-year terms. supplemental books, setting branch at its annual meeting June 2 at (he Old Mill duties Apr. 15. James Hay, a Current board members the salary schedule, ap- Inn, Bernardsville. former Westfield police who will nol return to the proving Ihe curriculum and The four Westfield firemen arc Ircing recognized for officer, rejoined the force 1979-80 school board are budget, planning and ap- their aid to two Yorkshire terriers overcome in n lire Sunday. Richard Barker and Betty on Minisink Way last November. Kopf. proving the school buildings Banach received his At Tuesday's meeting, the program and setting up a associate degree in police board will elect officers and school calendar. Parade Plans Near Completion science from Middlesex set meeting times and Official action of the County College. He was Plans for this year's • Veterans of Foreign Wars. places for the coming year. board may be taken only at Morris Kamlcr, life formerly employed as a Sullivan is the present regularly scheduled meetings Memorial Day Parade and security officer. president. Barker was vice when a quorum is present. services, Monday, May 28, member of Martin Wallberg president. are nearly complete. The Post, will serve as grand Hay left Westfield lo School board meetings are parade is sponsored by the marshall. II is expected that The nine member Board open to public observation attend law school in of Education is the policy- under the Sunshine Law.