Hopewell Valley schools leader looks at district changes

From the Superintendent’s Office

By Ruth Luse, Managing Editor
   When Hopewell Valley schools reopen Sept. 6, Superintendent Judith A. Ferguson expects total district enrollment to be about 4,053 students — two fewer than when schools closed in June.
   ”We’re actually expecting to be down in the elementaries, but are picking up 35 or more at Timberlane Middle School. So we’ll be seeing that bubble move through there and the high school over the next few years,” Dr. Ferguson said Monday.
   Schools, she said, will greet students with “a rejuvenated staff and an array of facility and infrastructure improvements to enhance safety and protect our capital investments.”
   ”We will begin the year with a streamlined administration and new revenue sources as we continue to explore ways to reduce our dependence on local taxes without sacrificing programs and services,” the superintendent noted.
   Central Office changes — With the July departures of former Assistant Superintendent John Bach, who left to be superintendent in Moorestown, and former Business Administrator John Nemeth, the administrative staff has been downsized. Mr. Bach’s responsibilities for curriculum have been assigned to Kate Napolitano, who is director of curriculum and instruction. Previously, she was director of instruction. Her salary is $122,893.
   In addition to human resources responsibilities, Assistant Superintendent Richard Lang also is in charge of information technology and safety and security. His duties also include being liaison with professional, civic and community groups. His salary is $131,836.
   With Mr. Nemeth’s retirement, the position of assistant business administrator, formerly held by Robert Colavita, has been downsized to comptroller and Mr. Colavita is serving as business administrator and board secretary. His salary is $118,900.
   Laura Archer is serving as comptroller. She is being paid $64,000.
   A vacancy — The district is looking for a replacement for its elementary supervisor of special education, David Tate, who recently joined Mr. Bach in Moorestown. Mr. Tate will be vice principal of an upper elementary school.
   New revenue — New activity fees assessed for middle school and high school students participating in extracurricular activities had generated roughly $20,000, as of Aug. 23. The district expects that figure to climb as the opening of schools gets closer.
   The revised transportation policy, under which “we are now charging for secondary busing not mandated by the state, has allowed us to reduce by five the number of bus routes for a budgeted savings of approximately $170,000. In addition, we have collected more than $36,000 in busing subscriptions. For families who have declared a hardship, we have made accommodations,” said Dr. Ferguson on Monday.
   The district, thus far, has processed “five applications for activity fee waivers (none for transportation)and has waived the entire amount,” a spokeswoman said.
   Technology — The district now offers wireless access to the Internet to students and staff in all school cafeterias and media centers. Students also will begin the school year with remote access to the district’s software library. To further improve home-school communications, the district has linked voice mail and e-mail, consolidated servers and made other upgrades in network infrastructure to increase speed and improve efficiencies.
   SMART Boards in elementary schools — “These interactive whiteboards were such a hit at Hopewell Elementary last spring that teachers will have them available in all elementary schools this fall,” the superintendent said. “In our relatively short experience with them, we have seen their enormous potential to enhance student learning.”
   Solar energy at Timberlane —The district is in the midst of installing a 50-kilowatt solar-powered electrical system at the middle school. The project includes installation of an information kiosk near the school’s front lobby where energy readings will be displayed and accessible to students.
   Special education changes — Social skills classes, led by an intervention specialist, will be available in all schools. “We will also launch a new K-one ‘special’ class for students who need smaller class size and specialized instruction to meet the needs of their disability,” said Dr. Ferguson. That class will be based at Bear Tavern. For students at the high school, “we also will offer a new academic essentials program, focusing on transition and social skills development.”
   CHS redesign — The high school staff is planning for future additions of non-traditional options for learning, such as off-site coursework and internships. “We begin our second year with Virtual High School and have reserved spots for 20 qualified students interested in online courses. For some students, this is a wonderful way to expand their learning while earning credits toward their diplomas,” said Dr. Ferguson.
   New collaboration with Mercer County Technical Schools — Students interested in auto shop electives will benefit from a new partnership with the county technical schools. Mercer instructor Lou Carnation will teach three courses at Central High — an all-morning, 20-credit class open to county students as well as locals — and two afternoon classes reserved exclusively for CHS students. “We are pleased to have found a way to continue auto shop classes in our own facility with an experienced instructor who is replacing retired auto shop teacher Dick Estelow,” said the superintendent.
   CHS marching band —For the first time in Valley history, there will be a full-fledged marching band at school and community events this year. More than 50 students have signed up.
   Professional development — The district has hired a consultant — educator and author Grant Wiggins — as it embarks on a review and redesign of the social studies curriculum. Dr. Wiggins, according to JoAnn Meyer, director of communications and development, “is charging us $2,000.His normal fee is $6,000.”
   Dr. Wiggins is president of Authentic Education, Hopewell. He earned his doctorate at Harvard University and received his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md. According to his Web site, “he consults with schools, districts and state education departments on a variety of reform matters; organizes conferences and workshops; and develops print materials and Web resources on curricular change.” For more, contact him at [email protected].
   Resurfaced tennis courts and running track — Long overdue maintenance work on the courts and track at Timberlane is nearing completion. The courts should be open by mid-September. It has been 11 years since the track was last refurbished, according to Dr. Ferguson.
   Repaving at Timberlane — Parents and bus drivers alike “will welcome the badly needed resurfacing of the bus loop at the middle school,” Dr. Ferguson said. “This project was bid for us by Hopewell Township at a substantial savings due to the size of our joint bid.”
   Security upgrades district-wide — Security has been tightened by installing cameras and front-door buzzer systems at elementary and middle schools. “This safety measure was requested by many parents to ensure the physical safety of our students and staff,” the superintendent noted.
   Walking school bus at Stony Brook — A “walking school bus” for families in Brandon Farms will be launched this fall. “This is an exciting, grant-funded project that we expect will increase the number of student walkers and bikers, thereby reducing congestion near the school. Given its popularity and success in many other areas of the state and country, we are very optimistic about its potential for success at Stony Brook,” Dr. Ferguson noted.
   In late July, it was announced that the state had awarded a $14,000 grant to the local district for the Walking School Bus program at Stony Brook Elementary. As the name implies, a walking school bus program does not use vehicles. The program consists of organized groups of children who follow a schedule, usually accompanied by an adult, to walk a charted route to school.
   Extracurricular options — Students will have extensive after-school choices from Hopewell Valley YMCA’s new program, which is offered in all schools except CHS. The Y is expanding its programming in partnership with the school district and has agreed to waive the typical membership fee for participating students. Many district-funded programs have been cut in recent years, “so the district is pleased to provide this alternate opportunity to parents at minimal cost,” Dr. Ferguson said.
   Preparation for new state monitoring — Hopewell Valley has been selected, along with Princeton and West Windsor-Plainsboro, as part of the first wave of school systems to be evaluated under a new state monitoring system. New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) will be documenting, with staff help, all aspects of district operations, from student assessments to school board governance issues.
   Religion and the schools — A committee of 21 parents, staff and interested community members, including representatives of the clergy, have begun meeting to help examine the treatment of religion in the curriculum and the role of holiday-time traditions in Valley schools. This school-board-appointed advisory group began work in August and expects to have a recommendation to the school board by the end of October.
   Updating district policies — The school board and administration plan to undertake “a massive overhaul of our district’s policies. This is an important job since these 250 policies comprise the basic structure of our district’s governance. This comprehensive review will ensure that district policies are consistent with state code and current practice,” the superintendent concluded.