Midland Park May 18, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 A Midland Park couple’s quest to have their homeschooled son play interscholastic sports continues. The Midland Park Board of Education decided last week to ask the state Commissioner of Education to overturn a decision by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (NJSIAA) Executive Committee to continue banning the practice. NJSIAA is the governing body for high school sports in New Jersey. It is made up of 425 accredited public, private and parochial schools in the state. Following the denial, a NJSIAA communication had notified the board that the next step in the process would be to file a petition with the NJSIAA signed by 20 member schools to bring the matter to a full membership vote in December. But an alternate path in the process, the boy’s parents told the board at its meeting last week, is to ask the Education Commissioner to review the vote and reverse the decision. This route would be simpler and, if successful, would go into effect much sooner and allow their son to play in the school teams next school year, the parents said. “We really feel this is the right decision,” said board President Robert Schiffer. “It’s the right thing to do. The student is from Midland Park and needs that kind of help. We are willing to help,” he added. Board seeks reversal of sports ban Midland Park had presented a resolution to the NJSIAA seeking to allow each individual school district to decide whether it would permit home-schooled students to participate in league play in teams from their town of residence. State department of education guidelines permit home schooled students to participate in extracurricular activities in their local district, but NJSIAA regulations do not. An NJSIAA rule governing eligibility for participation in interscholastic athletic programs says that the student “must be enrolled in that school,” but specifically defines an enrolled student as one whose home instruction is provided by the board of education but not one “being home schooled by parents or other parties.” Midland Park High School Athletic Director Nick Capuano had argued the district’s case in front of the NJSIAA Advisory Committee in April and received an overwhelming endorsement. But when he appeared in front of the Executive Committee on May 4, he was turned down. The thrust of the case, according to the boy’s father, is that if the state guidelines give the local board the decision-making power on the matter of eligibility, the NJSIAA should not be permitted to usurp that power and should be made to comply with the state guidelines. Midland Park Councilman Patrick “Bud” O’Hagan and his wife Janet were honored last week by the Ridgewood Village Council for erecting and managing the holiday display at the Ridgewood Water Works property in Midland Park for the past 32 years. In photo above, Ridgewood Councilwoman Bernadette Walsh reads a proclamation citing the O’Hagans for their contribution, as Councilmen Paul Aronsohn and Thomas Riche look on. The annual display features Disney characters originally belonging to Glen Rock Architect Karl Kemm Loven. In appreciation FURNITURE REFINISHING & REPAIR Fine Wood Working And Furniture Restoration Over 20 Years in Business Furniture Stripping & Refinishing and Repair • Complete Custom Wood Working In Home Touch Up & Furniture Makeovers • Entertainment Centers - Libraries Closet Systems • We Pickup & Deliver - Free Estimates - Insured SPECIALIZING IN: Carving • Veneer Work • Turning • Architectural Wood Working Period Antiques & Reproductions • Door Refinishing ADVERTISER Just as you are reading this AD, others read your AD. Restorations by Peter Schichtel 201-891-0990 Still conveniently located at: 830 Franklin Ave, Franklin Lakes (by Stop & Shop) Celebrating Our 5th Successful Year! $ any purchase of $25 or more Not to be combined with any other offer 10 New St. • Morristown • 973-605-8818 www.schichtelrestorations.com 201-652-0744 5.00 Off ADVERTISER Spend $50+ on ink or toner cartridges and get a $25 Dining Gift Card 9-22-10 pat/janine SchichtelFurniture2x2(9-22-10) 2x2 CartrWrld3x3FrLk(5-18-11)A For Pat from Allison correction rev2, Janine Is Your Local Insurance Agent No Longer Local? Allen & Allen Offers: Just as you are reading this AD, others read your AD. • Local licensed professionals to help you understand your coverage. • Representing over 15 insurance companies which include Travelers, MetLife, Hartford and Progressive. • Free review of your current policies to make sure you are not over/underinsured. • Writing all lines of insurance including Auto, Home, Business, Commercial Auto and Life. 801 Franklin Avenue Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 201-652-0744 (201) 891-8790 www.insurance4newjersey.com