Ad Populos, Non Aditus, Pervenimus (908) 232-4407 USPS 680020 Thursday, May 22, 2003 Published Every Thursday Since 1890 OUR 113th YEAR – ISSUE NO. 36-114 Periodical – Postage Paid at Westfield, N.J. www.goleader.com [email protected] FIFTY CENTS BOE Hears From Parents, Superintendent on Class Size By CHARLOTTE LEDERMAN the next school year will be the fifth Schools. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader grade at McKinley Elementary Next, the board began to discuss Tuesday night’s meeting of the School, where officials anticipate two eighth grade sports by reviewing a Westfield Board of Education revolved sections of 24 students. Yet, in the summary of the issue thus far, noting around the heated debate between second grade, McKinley School has that the issue is now whether to cre- parents and board members about the smallest projected class size, with ate a more competitive program, or a class size at the elementary level. three sections of 17 pupils. more inclusive intramural one. As Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dr. Foley also demonstrated that After hearing from each member of William Foley revealed, the class the basic considerations for the for- the board, there was a vote in which size policy states that the “range mation of classes are: “the grade the members decided to direct Dr. should be between 18 and 25; the Foley to work on a project that lower range should be in the pri- would have girl’s field hockey in mary grades (K-3) and the higher “We have the money, we have the fall, winter wrestling, and range in the upper grades; ac- intramurals in the spring. count for learning disabled stu- the space, what’s the issue?,” In other business, the board dents who are mainstreamed in - Comments from began its meeting early in order academic areas; and provide space members of the public during the to allow for a small reception for for art and music.” meeting of the Westfield Board of Ed. the winners of the annual Opti- Currently, the projected class mist Award from the Optimist size for 2003-2004 in grades K-5 Club of Westfield. are all within the allowed range. Dr. level; the educational needs of each The award recognizes two interme- Foley projects the largest class for student in each class; the total num- diate level teachers each year, honor- ber of students in the grade; the ing one teacher from Edison and one availability of classroom and other teacher from Roosevelt who maintains Temple Parking areas for instruction; the number of “an optimist outlook in the commu- staff available; the number of nity” and praises their commitment to Meeting Postponed mainstreamed special education stu- teaching. This year, the recipients are Horace R. Corbin for The Westfield Leader dents; and other relevant factors.” Robert Hild and Karen Lust. SILLY SEASON BEGINS…Third Ward Councilman Dave Haas, second from right, held his campaign kick off party The third special meeting of on Saturday night. Pictured from left are: Former Mayor Tom Jardim holding Nate, Karen Jardim, Councilman Haas, the Westfield Board of Adjust- The timing of this decision is due The board finished the meeting and Campaign Manager and the evening’s hostess Ayse Wronski. Other notables present were Democratic Chairman ment, which was scheduled to to teacher contracts, which were so- with regular business matters and Ken Rotter, Fourth Ward Democrat Councilman Lawrence Goldman, School Board President Arlene Gardner, Board continue the hearing for Temple lidified on May 15, said Dr. Foley. will reconvene on Tuesday, June 3. of Adjustment Member Reid Edles and former Third Ward Democrat Councilwoman Claire Lazarowitz. Emanu-El’s request for a 170- The issue at Franklin Elementary space parking lot, was postponed School arose in the downsizing from from Thursday, May 15, due to a five to four sections in grade four. Dr. death in the family of attorney Foley said that this was not the result of MS Borough Council Approves $8.22 Million Jim Flynn. one of these teachers leaving on sab- Mr. Flynn represents UNITE batical. Furthermore, “it’s an issue of (United Neighbors Investigating equity, not space at Franklin - keeping Temple Expansion). a section would mean no art room.” Budget for 2003 With 2.92 Point Tax Increase According to Colleen Mayer, Meanwhile, the public argued for By MARY RONK final budget, allowing for any addi- on Wednesday, June 11, with a rain 7.D, Lot 41, 1091 Bristol Rd and Secretary to the Board of Ad- an increased section at Franklin Specially Written for The Westfield Leader justment, the next meeting has School, rejecting the decrease from tional questions from the council as date scheduled for Thursday, June Block 23.C Lot 26, 187 Mill Lane In a public hearing this past Tues- well as the community. 12. The council also passed a resolu- yet to be scheduled. five to four. They expressed the over- day night, Councilmen William Lane For more information, please all sentiment of, “We have the money, The council set the 2003 budget The council will purchase bonds tion authorizing an agreement with stepped in as acting Mayor for Mayor for the borough at $8,224,026.33. for Deerfield School Valedictorian Garden State Fireworks for the contact Ms. Mayer at (908) 789- we have the space, what’s the issue?” Robert Viglianti who was not present 4100, extension no. 602. The total 2002 budget was and Salutatorian for the 2003 gradu- July 4th fireworks display, for Others raised concern for class size at the meeting. at Wilson Elementary and McKinley $8,213,719.10, for a total increase of ation class. $15,000. Councilmen Lane announced the $10,307.14. Stephanie Hurewitz has been ap- The council also approved ordi- The total miscellaneous revenue pointed as an alternate representa- nance 1059-2003 on second reading for 2003 is $1,794,103.90 compared tive to the Union County Commu- to amend Chapter1X, Section 9-1.3, Westfield Police Will Celebrate to $1,945,634.84 in 2002. This rep- nity Development Revenue Sharing Paragraph h, which changes the fee resents a decrease of $151,530.94 in Committee. for continued certificate of occu- revenues for the 2003 budget year. The borough will sell four police pancy. The major revenue shortfalls are state vehicles. Lastly, the council passed ordi- Centennial With Open House aid dollars and interest earned on The council also passed a resolu- nance 1060-2003, a bond ordinance investments. tion authorizing the establishment of authorizing the purchase of a fire By LAUREN S. PASS their computer records systems. Also on display will be evidence The 2003 budget represents a tax a petty cash fund in the Construc- truck for the sum of $600,000. A Specially Written for The Westfield Leader As part of the Juvenile Bureau and from famous cases such as the John rate increase of 2.92 tax points which tion/Building Department. public hearing will be held on this On Sunday, June 8, from noon to 5 the community policing initiative, List murder case, area burglary rings according to the council, allows the The borough will also apply for ordinance next month. p.m. the Westfield Police Depart- Westfield’s newest police officers, and more serious accidents. borough to maintain the quality of recycling tonnage grants. The next meeting for the council is ment will celebrate its 100th anni- the Explorers Post, will also be In the chief’s office will be a dis- service while holding the line on The council passed a resolution a work session; scheduled for Tues- versary with an open house at their present at the event. These Junior play of the former police chiefs and increased spending. for a tax appeal settlement for Block day, June 10. headquarters and a fair in Police, have been through the acad- a history of the department, includ- According to Borough Clerk Judy Mindowaskin Park. emy, and are working with the rest of ing original police blotters. Ostey the final numbers have not “There will be something for ev- the Westfield Police Department. “The old blotters are interesting been certified by the county, and the eryone in the family at the open “They are a really enthusiastic because you can really see how much breakdown of dollars per assessed house and fair,” said Police Chief Council OKs Capital group of kids,” said Chief Tracy. Westfield has changed,” said Chief home value are not yet available. Bernard Tracy. “Having the residents The Detective Bureau will be dem- Tracy. “In 1903 Westfield still had a in (the headquarters) is a part of Another topic of discussion was onstrating finger printing and crime lot of farms, so calls were for things led by Mountainside resident, John community policing. It’s important scene investigation techniques. like a cow in the road and stolen for the residents to understand and Shackelford of Sunny Brooke Lane. Budget; Right Turn Chief Tracy told The Westfield chickens.” Mr. Shackelford asked for clarifica- be a part of what we do.” Leader, “when I was a young cop all The fair will include pony rides, a The Police Department has gone the store owners knew me down- DJ, two moonwalks, a slide, food, tion from the borough regarding an from a force of six men in 1903 to a town, and so did the kids. It’s impor- and free balloons and frisbees. article, which ran in The Star-Ledger Only at Shackamaxon force of 59 men and women in blue. tant that we develop these relation- A donated bicycle will also be on May 18.