With school buses once again filling neighborhood roads, Frelinghuysen Elementary School’s board of education met on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Board members and Chief School Administrator Jarlyn Veras had plenty of promising news to share. The meeting ended on a darker tone as public concern returned to the cannabis cultivation and manufacturing plant proposed nearby.
In her report, Veras described the school year as almost suspiciously efficient.
“We’ve had a great first few days of school. Things have been very smooth– so smooth that I’m a little concerned,” she said, to some laughs of those in attendance.
Frelinghuysen Elementary School is currently focusing on conducting assessments to measure possible “summer slide,” the dip in academic achievement sometimes seen in students after a summer without schooling. Veras also reported that the school has finalized its door upgrading project.
New Hires to Bring New Contributions
Some new hires at FES stirred excitement. The board happily welcomed Hilary Beirne of Andover, who will serve as the supervisor of student services this year.
“She comes to us with many years of experience in special education,” Veras said of her experience within individual schools as well as at the larger district level. “We think that she’s going to make a lot of positive contributions to our school.”
Conversations have already begun concerning student interviews, MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) and other student programs.
Veras also shared a potentially exciting new project centered on another new hire, Rutgers University student Elise Genao, who will serve as an administrative intern this fall. Veras hopes that Genao can help with logistics to bring the Healthy Kids aftercare program to Frelinghuysen Elementary School. Veras emphasized that she can’t promise anything, and the project launch remains a hoped-for outcome.
Unused Grant Money to be Used for Curriculum
In a last piece of positive academic news, a motion in the financial section indicated a planned curriculum update. Veras shared that she and new Business Administrator Edward Flores have undertaken a deep audit of the school’s finances. In the process, they identified unused grant money that can be used for a curricular refresh.
Though the school is focusing on science this year, Veras noted that the school’s social studies program “could use some updating and the inclusion of resources that are innovative and new.” The plan is to apply unallocated funds to upgrade the social studies curriculum.
The meeting ended with a public comment section that lasted as long as the meeting itself.
Passionate Public Comments Portion
Frelinghuysen resident Kirk Perez, who has previously spoken at township committee and land use board meetings, spoke passionately against the marijuana manufacturing and cultivation facility that has been proposed to move nearby.
“My expectation would be that this board do everything in its power to protect our kids and yourselves and your families, and understand that the responsibility of this falls on you,” Perez said.
He ended his remarks with a plea that the board help him reach the other parents of Frelinghuysen students regarding the cannabis farm.
He was joined by resident David Togno (no relation to the Frelinghuysen Elementary School board member of the same name). The two residents shared their concerns about school security, health and safety, and government transparency regarding the proposed cannabis facility.
Earlier this year, the board passed a resolution formally declaring opposition to the proposed facility. Board members also read this resolution at a land use board meeting. Togno, who spoke during public comment, noted that board of education members were not permitted to read this resolution until after the land use board had already voted.
Frelinghuysen’s next board of education meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Chip O'Chang is an educator, fiction writer, and lifelong resident of New Jersey. He has also written for My Life Publications and NJ Indy. He lives in the NJ Skylands with his partner, two cats, and and a bearded dragon.
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
- Chip O'Chang, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/chip-ochang-contributing-writer/
