Midland Park April 7, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 9 The Midland Park Board of Education last week unveiled cuts in staff, programs and extra-curricular activities brought on by a $1,150,000 reduction in state aid for the 2010-11 school year. The reductions or adjustments to existing practices were made at both the elementary and high school levels. “The reality is, there is going to be less. There is not going to be the same array of services. It’s hard to accept, but that is the reality of the situation,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. William Heebink, who will be retiring in June. He said he had met personally with every staff member who was being affected by the changes. Dr. Heebink said that the total budget had been cut by $1.45 million in order to stay within the 4 percent cap on the tax levy. That job had been made easier, he said, by an anticipated $300,000 savings from staff retirements and $400,000 from a salary freeze negotiated with the district’s unions. “We avoided the decimation going on in some other districts,” he added. In all, six full-time and eight part-time positions will be eliminated, and 17 will be partially reduced. At the elementary level, four sections will be maintained in all grades, including fourth and sixth, for which a fifth section had been considered. Based on current enrollment, there would be 26 children per class at these grade levels, but Dr. Heebink said each of these sections would have additional support. Cuts include: • Approximately 20 extra-curricular activities, some low in participation or not related to the curriculum.. • In athletics, intramurals at the elementary school, and all middle school sports except volleyball, spring track and intramurals. At the high school ninth grade baseball and soccer, cheerleading and strength and conditioning as well as a number of assistant coaches. (9th grade volleyball and varsity and JV teams will be maintained) • The athletic director’s time will be cut by .4. • Administration time at Godwin will be cut by .4 • Health instruction will be reduced by .45 at the Board adopts budget with cuts elementary level, with classroom teachers picking up health components which do not require certification. Partial cuts in art, band and music as well. • At the high school, partial reductions in social studies, English/language arts, math and French, student assistance counselor, guidance, AV support, and hall supervision. • The graduation requirement for 129 credits will be dropped to 120. Seniors will need to take a minimum of 29 credits instead of 34. • Partial reductions in special education based on case load assessments. (increase of half a position for preschool disabled will be offset by federal funding and save on tuition to other districts). • Districtwide, $20,000 reduction in technology support, 1 ½ maintenance persons, five part-time custodians and up to $10,000 for curriculum consultants. Reductions in clerical hours throughout. • Transportation, maintenance, equipment and building budget cuts of up to $180,000. Parents present at the public hearing thanked the board members for their diligence. Former trustee Ann Polhemus asked that the public assistance counselor be kept full time. Resident Laura Fleming of Crest Drive suggested the board investigate a partnership with a neighboring town to reduce costs. Resident Joyce Peterson of Glen Avenue suggested reducing the school year from 183 days to 180 to make up to teachers for this year’s freeze in staff salaries. “The plan is not perfect, but it is the best we could do in a short period of time,” said Board of Education President Rich Venditti. The budget as adopted last week after the public hearing, totals $18,570,806, with $16,818,459 to be raised by taxation, a 3.98 percent increase. Residents must vote on the tax levy at the annual school election, scheduled for Tuesday, April 20 from 2 to 9 p.m. Three board of education members must also be elected at that time, but only two residents filed in time to be placed on the ballot. The third seat could be filled through a write-in effort. Patricia Delaney, R.N., A.A.S., center, director of cardiac outreach services at the Center for Women’s Heart Health at Valley Hospital, reviews her recent presentation to the Midland Park Branch of the Valley Hospital Auxiliary with auxiliary co-presidents Gilda Gilmartin, left, and Jo Ann Levine. Pointing out that one in three women die of heart disease, Delaney described the alarm signs of heart disease in women (which differ from men’s): extreme fatigue, restlessness, shortness of breath, flu-like symptoms with no fever lasting 3-4 days, and allergy-like symptoms, among others. Delaney said women can reduce their risk factors for hearth disease by as much as 80 percent by eating better, cutting down on long-term hormone replacement therapies, increasing exercise, and identifying markers that raise their stress level and developing strategies to release stress. The heart health center offers women a free heart health assessment at the Valley Hospital. 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