Education Committee

A Pat On The Back…

Mr. Matthew O'Grady is to be commended for his request at the February School Board Meeting for a procedure to allow the "silent majority" to be heard about their school district concerns. He felt only a few people are heard at meetings but they do not necessarily reflect the majority of taxpayers. In his estimation, a new procedure would enable the community to communicate with the board before a crisis develops.

To Dr. Kathie Foster, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, for running a well-organized and informative Facilities Task Force Meeting on January 30, 2008. She set the proper tone at the beginning of the meeting and maintained it throughout.

To Mr. Michael Reca, board of education member, who promised “transparency” at a board meeting in regards to the Facilities Task Force deliberations. He stayed true to his word at the January 30^th meeting. His answers to questions were straight forward and to the point.

The school board is in process of passing a Cooperative Pricing Agreement. This was an idea I brought up at a board meeting last year. A Cooperative Pricing Agreement allows a school district to band with other districts to buy in bulk at lower prices. Districts can save thousands of dollars. The Robbinsville School District will be using Ed Data Services, who buy for over 200 districts.

Congratulations to Mrs. Joy Wolfe, high school teacher, and the students who have signed up for a robotics course to learn the practical aspects of engineering. This course received a $6,000 NASA rooky grant to purchase equipment and supplies. Robbinsville High School is only one out of three schools in the state that achieved this distinction. Learn more about this project by previewing the PowerPoint presentation given at the December BOE meeting. (Click here)

Congratulations to Arlene Biesiada, the Interim Business Administrator, for responding quickly and decisively to audit recommendations. According to the auditor, past audit recommendations going back two years were not implemented until Arlene took action.

The school district received Middle States accreditation which means the district’s program is in order.

Congratulations to the administration, teachers and students for the 2007 test scores. They are high. Here is the PowerPoint presentation that was made at the October school board meeting so parents and taxpayers can see what was accomplished. Take note of the movement between levels as you page through the information. There will be a brief report about the math program at the November Civic Association Meeting. (Click here to view the presentation)

The district is to be congratulated on achieving its progress goals for the No Child Left Behind Program. Pond Road School achieved most of its progress goals but has been given “Early Warning” status. (Read more)

Parent Charlotte Regen is to be commended for bringing to the State’s attention the district’s failure to hold emergency exit bus drills which are mandated by the State; furthermore, she also pointed out to the district administration that the wrong safety harnesses were being used for special education pre-schoolers months ago.

Goes to Robbinsville Township school district for having the fewest number of violent incidents in Mercer County. Out of a student population of 1,985, there were only 18 incidents - 15 violent, 2 vandal and 1 substance abuse. West Windsor had the lowest percentage rate of incidents because it has 9,285 students with 63 incidents. Lawrence had 131 incidents among its 4,188 students.