Area November 13, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 11 Board refuses to commission feasibility study The Midland Park Board of Education is not interested in pursuing alternatives to Midland Park High School for the borough’s 330 students in grades 9-12. That position was made very clear last week, as Board President Wil- liam Sullivan failed to get the board’s support for studying the feasibility of sending students to Northern Highlands Regional High School. Sullivan said he had pursued the idea for a study based on the response he had received from residents both in person and through e-mails, the majority of whom sup- ported the study. He said they cited additional educational offerings and co-curricular activities, better athletic fields, and cost savings as reasons for looking to send stu- dents to Northern Highlands. Some even suggested doing a similar study with Waldwick, he said. The majority of board members, however, wanted no part of closing Midland Park High School or even explor- ing options, some saying that the $25,000 cost could be better spent on something else. Noting that three of the current board members had graduated from Midland Park High School and “done OK,” trustee Tim Thomas said that he liked the idea of a small student/teacher ratio, that teachers know students by name and are familiar with their strengths and weak- nesses. “That feeling is irreplaceable; you don’t get that in a large district,” Thomas said. Adding that people had moved to Midland Park because it is a small town with a small school district. He told a parent: “We’re comfort- able with what we have.” Dr. Maryalice Thomas, another trustee, said that com- paring statistics between MPHS and Highlands based on the published profile on each district’s website, MPHS students “come up ahead…. If we are looking to compete, look at the academics; no one is going pro with interscho- lastic sports,” she said. Comparing average SAT scores in math and critical reading, Dr. Thomas said that while Midland Park’s aver- age score is 1027 out of 1600 versus NHRHS’ average score of 1181, research is indicating that family income and SAT scores are correlated. Average income in Mid- land Park is $77,230. In Allendale, average income is $120,466, $171,410 in Upper Saddle River, $107,471 in Saddle River and $153,675 in Ho-Ho-Kus. The regional district includes Allendale and Upper Saddle River and receives tuition students from the other two communities. Dr. Thomas said Midland Park students are taking AP exams at a comparable rate as Highlands when compar- ing the 10 AP subjects MPHS offers. She also pointed out that while the student to guidance counselor ratio at Highlands is 226, Midland Park’s ratio is 167 students per counselor. “We are serving better,” she said passionately. “The academic achievements at our high school are excellent,” agreed Superintendent of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella. “We are serving our children beautifully.” “Our kids are well prepared for college. We don’t want to send them to a bigger district,” said Board Vice Presi- dent Sandra Cricenzo. “Lots of things going on are intangible; they won’t show in a feasibility study,” said trustee James Canellas. “We can do a lot with 25 grand as opposed to allocate money to quiet a vocal group of community residents who need the independent study.” ‘Without the study, people won’t support our efforts for a referendum,” countered Sullivan. The majority of residents speaking from the audience which packed the DePreker Library did not share the board members’ enthusiasm. “You have a moral obligation to reflect the views of the community, not present a biased view,” said John Pappas of Hampshire Road in asking the board to reconsider its opposition to the study. “Dr. Thomas pointed to selected pieces to demonstrate a point. We need unbiased informa- tion: what’s available, what can be offered. Our kids need to be exposed to more; this is the turning point on what to do with our education,” he said, noting that given the individual attention students receive, the school should be one of the top ten in the state. Class size at MPHS ranges from a low of two students per class in French to a high of 30 in physical education. Band has 54 students and chorus has 43. “The board can’t miss this opportunity to get our stu- dents into a better high school,” said Charles Tsocanos of Estes Court. “Your position is to be objective, not to throw out our comments because you disagree,” Francine Caleca of Westbrook Avenue told the board. “Our facilities are not where we need to be. We don’t have the things we need. We can’t support the infrastruc- ture,” said Diane Allen of Rubble Street. “Do the study, then let the parents make the decision, if not close, then improve,” she said. Joanne Webb of Hill Street commented on the attrition rate of students attending the local elementary schools but then going to a private high school. This year alone, the drop from eighth grade to ninth was 15 students. “Parents are not willing to pass a referendum for schools they are not using and taxes going up. A large portion of the population is interested to see what sending can do,” Webb said Cristin Aldershof of Faner Road asked if any districts had reached out wanting to attend MPHS. Sullivan said that one district had inquired a while back but nothing had come of it. “This still can be a good little town while opening opportunities for our students to go to other schools and make friends,” Aldershof said. Sullivan said no further overtures would be made to Highlands or other districts given the board members’ position at this time.