SCHOOL BOARD UPDATE
By John Tredrea
Years ago, the Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education stated the practice of holding one of its regular monthly meetings each year at Hopewell Valley Central High School during school hours, to give students a chance to see the board in action and ask questions.
This year, the meeting was held Tuesday afternoon.
There were only a few questions, most of them focusing on the issue of lighting.
Two students told the board that the parking lot near Timberlane Drive sometimes is not lit at night when students come out of school after extracurricular activities, such as sports or plays.
Board Vice President Kim Newport and school district Business Administrator John Nemeth said the lights must be turned on manually, rather than with an automatic light sensor, because that was required of the district by the Hopewell Township Planning Board, which approved the lighting. Ms. Newport and Mr. Nemeth said they would see if permission could be obtained to switch to an automatic sensor or, if not, make sure the lights are turned on manually when they are needed.
A student who lives in Brandon Farms near Stony Brook Elementary School wondered if too many lights were being left on too late in that school. Mr. Nemeth replied that some lights must be left on at night for reasons of safety and security. "I’ll check into and see," Mr. Nemeth promised the boy.
THE BOARD also voted unanimously in favor of several personnel moves, including:
Acceptance of the resignation, effective June 30, of Anne McKenzie, nurse at Central High School and Timberlane Middle School. Ms. McKenzie has been with the district since 2002.
Approval of an internship for the 2004-2005 school year for Amy Orlando, teacher at Hopewell Elementary. Ms. Orlando will intern with Christine Lacquidara, principal of that school, and John Bach, assistant superintendent of schools and former Central High School principal. Ms. Orlando is working on a doctorate in educational administration at Drexel University.
Adjustment to the family leave of Kim Schubert, teacher at Timberlane, from Jan. 25 to March 31.
Ms. Newport presided over the meeting in the absence of board President Bill Hills, who was out of town on business.

