By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
WEST WINDSOR-PLAINSBORO Tying up loose ends at its last meeting of the school year, the Board of Education discussed proposed field lights policies, approved capital projects and welcomed back a former student as the new assistant principal at Grover Middle School.
The board approved an agreement in December with the High School South Booster Club for funding and installing outdoor lights on both high schools’ athletic fields. On Tuesday night, board member Todd Hochman gave a first reading of a drafted policy on the lights’ usage even though installation may be several years away.
”We need a policy in advance to avoid misapprehensions, to give the administration clear guidance on the planning and a cap on utilization,” he said. He said the policy also addresses concerns of residents by the high schools who have protested the project because of extra noise and light and potentially unforeseen costs to taxpayers.
According to the policy, outside groups could not use the lights in the first two years and the lights would not be used on Saturdays and Sundays. Lights must be turned off by 9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday and 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, with an override component as per the completion of varsity sports. On evenings where there are no competitions, lights must be off by 8 p.m. Summer usage would be limited to August events with the same time constraints.
Each season, the athletic director must submit a planned usage and budget report to the administration ensuring the funds are available for utilities, security and other related costs. The policy would be reviewed annually for the first three years of use.
West Windsor Township Councilwoman Linda Geevers suggested that residents around the schools be notified every year for the annual review to give input. Mr. Hochman said it was a good idea and he would take other board members’ suggestions under review before preparing a second reading of the policy at the board’s next meeting on June 28.
The board approved bid awards for several capital projects. Among them, the roofs will be replaced at High School South, Dutch Neck, Maurice Hawk, Millstone River and Wicoff elementary schools. Wicoff will also get a new boiler and High School North will get an upgraded clock and sound system.
Among a few dozen appointments of new teachers and re-assignments, the board also approved the appointment of Carla Royster as the new assistant principal of Grover Middle School. Ms. Royster is a 1983 graduate of High School South and was a health education teacher for 23 years at the school. She replaces Beverly Krocker, who retired.
”She is a real blessing to our children,” said board member Rachelle Feldman Hurwitz.
Ms. Royster, whose husband is a security aid at High School North, said she is excited about the transition and looks forward to being a mentor at the middle school.
”I’m a nurturer,” she said. “Sometimes working at (High School) South, there were students I wish I could’ve gotten to at the middle school level to help them. I consider it a blessing that I can make a greater impact on the children at a younger age and then feed them into the high school where I know they are in good hands.”
