Schools
Board of Ed Meets for First Time Since Trees Came Down
A parking lot is not what residents wish to see at Washington Avenue School.
The agenda for the Board of Education of the School District of the Chathams' Wednesday meeting makes no direct mention of a parking lot expansion at Washington Avenue School, but that does not mean it will not be discussed.
Residents near WAS were outraged as over 10 trees were cut down two weeks ago to make way for the parking lot and are almost certain to speak about the matter during the public comments.
Benson Hawk said the trees in front of WAS help control erosion and that the wooded area, just to the right of the school's front entrance along Washington Avenue, provide "a valuable soak area for rain," Hawk said. "What is this going to do to everyone's basement in this area?"
The borough construction official confirmed the district does not need a permit to cut down trees on their own land, but any proposed parking lot expansion must be approved by the Chatham Borough Planning Board.
Other items on the agenda include personnel changes for the upcoming school year, including the retirement of Cheryl Marshall from Southern Boulevard School, the resignation of nurse Mary Renz from Lafayette Avenue School, and the following new hires:
- Scarlett Vaglio, part-time at Milton Avenue School
- Shayna Germansky, to work in the Special Education department at Washington Avenue School
- Jill Sciuria, who will teach business classes at Chatham High School
- Douglas Finken, a health employee at WAS and Milton Avenue School
An item rescinding Jim Urbelis's former approval as a tennis coach for the upcoming school year will also be voted upon. Urbelis will be approved as a coach at $5,855.
Several people will also be approved as security personnel for the year, in accordance with the additional question for increased security which passed along with the school budget earlier this year.
The PTO at Chatham High School wil donate $9,317.60 for 28 chrome books and a cart to support a cloud-learning program, and upgrades to the restrooms at Chatham High, Chatham Middle School and Washington Avenue School will also be voted upon.
The Board of Education meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, their first Wednesday meeting as they move from Monday nights. The meeting will take place at the Chatham Township Municipal Building. A complete copy of the agenda is embedded into this article.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.