September 18, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES Waldwick III • Page 9 Board to assess interest in pay-to-play sports Waldwick public school officials will survey middle school students to determine their interest in playing interscholastic sports this school year and their willing- ness to pay a fee for the privilege. The decision was made in response to a request from parents who attended last week’s board of education meeting asking that basketball, soccer and wrestling be reinstated. Trustees said staff would estimate the cost of a pay- to-play program and include it in the survey. Business Administrator John Griffin pointed out that if a charge were instituted, it would have to go through the Boost- ers Association or some other organization. If the amount were incorporated into the school budget, it would take it above the cap, he said. All middle school sports except track were eliminated from the 2013-14 school budget at a $40,000 savings so the budget could comply with the state-imposed 2 percent cap. School officials justified the move by noting that the cut sports were also offered at the recreation level. They said that they had discussed many alternatives before making the decision, including cutting freshman level teams and charging a fee for team participation, both of which they ultimately rejected. To stay within cap and keep down tax increases, the board also eliminated part time instructional aides at a savings of more than $200,000 a year and made exten- sive reductions in all departments, trustees pointed out. Seven or eight clubs at the high school with minimal par- The Northwest Bergen Regional Health Commission’s Flu Clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Wyckoff Library, 200 Woodland Avenue in Wyckoff. The vaccine will be available for adults and chil- dren three to 17 years of age. A parent or guardian must be present for a child under age 18 to receive the vaccine and pre-registration is required. The children’s vaccine is thimerosal free. The fee is $25, payable by cash or check only. No insur- ance will be accepted, but a receipt will be provided for submission to the health insurance company. Persons who have a Medicare HMO (Medicare Advantage) must also pay $25. Regular Medicare participants must bring their Medi- care Part B card for the clinic to bill Medicare directly. In addition to the clinic, the boards of health from Wyckoff and Midland Park will sponsor a giant Health Fair for the entire family. The event will feature vendor displays, blood pressure and hearing screenings, chair and yoga massages, an educational component and an expanded flu vaccine clinic, among many other offerings. A “passport to health” feature will give participants the opportunity to win a free emergency preparedness basket. All are welcome. For health fair information, call (201) 891-7000, ext. 304. For vaccine information and pre-regis- tration of children, call the NWBRHC at (201) 445-7217. Upcoming flu clinics in Waldwick will be held on Sept. 19 at The Tamaron Association on Tamaron Drive, and on Oct. 22 at the Waldwick Heath Center at 22 Whites Lane. Flu Clinic, Heath Fair announced Republicans to host barbecue Waldwick Republicans are invited to a free “Dawgs and Beer BBQ” at Waldwick Borough Park under the pavilion on Saturday, Oct. 5. Attendees are welcome to share their thoughts and meet fellow Republicans. The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., rain or shine. This event is sponsored by the Waldwick Republican Committee. ticipants were also eliminated. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patricia Raupers said her own office budget had been reduced a total of 30 percent to make up for shortfalls in other areas.