School system seen as on target for opening day
By: Courtney Gross
At the last meeting before the opening of school, and its first gathering in over a month, the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional Board of Education on Tuesday approved new classes for the Department of Community Education as well as additional funding for construction completed at schools this summer.
In his opening remarks, Superintendent Robert Loretan recognized some of the conflicts the district has faced recently, including finding transportation for students attending private schools.
But he said the district is on track for the opening of school Thursday.
"I do believe we are right on target," Mr. Loretan said Tuesday. But, he added, "We are still struggling with transportation to a number of private schools."
To deal with the transportation problem and address some private school parents, the district held an additional meeting on Wednesday evening.
For public school busing, board members said sending out bus passes earlier this summer should rectify some of the problems experienced in recent years, such as missed stops and tardy students. The district’s transportation coordinator, Ed Treadaway, agreed.
In preparation for the fall, the district approved 25 new classes for Community Education, a department that serves adults and conducts after-school classes. The programs run the gamut from Chinese for beginners to a session on meditation.
Some board members were surprised by the variety of classes the district has to offer, which includes psychic reading.
"They say it is satisfying their needs in the community," said Victoria Kniewel, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, of the Community Education classes.
Other approved classes are "Make and Take Jewelry," "Good Carbs Right Carbs," "Public Speaking" and many more.
The board also approved an additional $112,392 for construction that has occurred over the summer at Maurice Hawk and Dutch Neck elementary schools, among others. The bulk of the funding, over $85,000, went toward removing unsuitable soil during a paving project at Maurice Hawk, according to the change order.
As for the rest of the construction at schools in recent months, which included parts of the first phase of the approved facilities referendum, the district is moving in the right direction, said Larry Shanok, assistant superintendent for finance.