Glen Rock February 29, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 3 Borough teens reach out as reading buddies by John Koster Students from Glen Rock High School have been turning out in record numbers to take part in a one-on-one reading program in which they encourage younger students to enjoy reading. The Reading Buddies program, which will continue through March 21 at the Glen Rock Library Children’s Room, has expanded dramatically, according to Children’s Librarian Trisha Fishelman. She explained that Kerry Spichiger, a Glen Rock High School senior and National Honor Society member, led an active recruiting program that helped expand the program exponentially. Fishelman noted Spichiger’s excellent organizational and motivational skills – and the student’s fond memories of being at the other end of the program. “I started in this program when I was much younger, and just the other day I saw my Reading Buddy, who’s in college now, and it was just so great,” Spichiger said. “I’m really happy to see how the program is coming along. I remember how great it was to have an older kid to take an interest in my reading, and I hope that’s how the younger children feel today.” When Spichiger leaves for college this year, but will hand over the reins to Julia Rosenwald, a current Glen Rock High School junior. The younger children in the program are students in kindergarten through grade five, and mentors range from eighth graders through high school seniors, Fishelman (continued on page 11) At right: Jeremy Packer shares a book with Tommy Moore at the Glen Rock Public Library Reading Buddies program. Trisha Fishelman and Kerry Spichiger The proposed school budget for the Glen Rock public school system is seen as producing no increase in property taxes if it is approved as introduced by the board of education last week. The tentative total is expected to be $45 million with an expected tax levy of about $40 million. School officials emphasized that all of these figures are currently tenta- Trustees: School budget to have zero tax increase tive. Measures that made the zero increase possible included the outsourcing of both custodial help at the schools and teachers’ aide positions, which reportedly saved the district just over $1 million in the forthcoming budget. Both these measures were controversial when they were proposed last (continued on page 3)