Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • December 19, 2012 FLOW Area High school enrollment study projects student gap by Frank J. McMahon A recent study of the enrollment patterns in the Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School District indicates a growing disparity between the projected enrollment at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes and Indian Hills High School in Oakland. Concern about enrollment was previously raised in April when a shift in the enrollments in the two high schools surprised the district’s administration and the board of education. A chart was used at the time to show the enrollments in the two high schools since the 2007-08 school year. That chart indicated that enrollment at Ramapo had decreased while enrollment at Indian Hills had increased. The latest enrollment study, which was conducted by the district, used the average percentage of students sent to the two high schools by Franklin Lakes, Oakland, and Wyckoff, the three sending towns. This study reviewed the last three, five, and seven years to project the potential enrollment at each of the schools in each of the next five school years. The study indicated that, in each of the average percentage models, the enrollment at Ramapo is likely to decline from each of the three sending districts, while the enrollment at Indian Hills is likely to increase. For instance, using the three-year percentage model, the Franklin Lakes enrollment at Ramapo is projected to decline from 246 students in the 2012-13 school year to 206 in 2016-17. The Oakland enrollment is projected to decline from 97 students in 2012-13 to 90 students in 2016-17. The Wyckoff enrollment is projected to decline from 671 students in 2012-13 to 564 in 2016-17. (continued on page 24) Ramapo wins football championship The Ramapo High School Green Raiders have won the North 1, Group 3 championship, defeating Sparta 37-34 on a 48-yard field goal by David Bonagura. The kick was the longest of Bonagura’s high school career. Anthony Scher made the snap and Connor Russo held the ball, which Bonagura sent through the uprights with just 11 seconds left to play. The field goal secured the Raiders’ comeback victory. After the first half, Ramapo was down 26-7, but Team Captain Pat O’Hagan still believed the Raiders had a chance. O’Hagan rallied the Raiders, and ended the game with a total of 15 receptions for 98 yards. Neil O’Connor caught a pass from senior quarterback Anthony Lovecchio, and ran for a touchdown to tie the game at 34. Then, a key interception by defensive back John Goldschrafe allowed Bonagura the opportunity to make the game-winning kick. Lovecchio, O’Connor, Connor Speziale, and Skyler Amador scored for the Raiders. In addition to O’Hagan, the team’s captains include seniors Matthew Rossi and Stephen Rossi. The Raiders are coached by Drew Gibbs. (Photo courtesy of Jeanine Rossi.)