School Board Meets For First Time; Discusses Broadcasting Meetings Live

As might be expected, the Montclair Board of Education's first meeting of the year Monday night was marked by joviality and optimism. And the positive mood was not without cause. For example, board members marveled that the building of the new Charles H. Bullock Elementary School actually came in under budget.

Originally set to cost $35 million, board members said that now the Township would only need to sell bonds totaling $26 million. Indeed, the construction work itself came in about $4 million under budget. That savings, coupled with $4.8 million in state grants, brought down the overall price of the project.

"It's been a great experience overall," said Superintendent Frank Alvarez of the building of the new school on Washington Street.

In other news, the school board also discussed broadcasting its meetings live on Channel 34. Currently, the meetings are broadcast — but generally there's a delay of at least a few hours.

The board also discussed the issue of broadcasting school events — such as football games or even musical productions — live.

At least one board member wondered where such a movement would end. For example, would kindergarten plays be broadcast live? And, if football games are broadcast live, would it prevent people from showing their support by actually turning out at the games?

"We have the capability to do this ... but I think we need to make certain the board thinks this through," Alvarez said.

He said that just because one or two people have asked the board to broadcast its meetings live doesn't mean it should be done.

In the end, the board decided to study the issue further in order to develop a solid policy on the subject.

Meanwhile, in other news:

— The $1.3 million in federal grant money recently awarded to Montclair to expand its Mandarin language program will initially be used to hire one staff member for K-8. Next year the Mandarin program will be expanded to the high school.

— A new class for autistic students at Montclair High School as well as a new class for students who are learning disabled at Mount Hebron Middle School will be added this year.

— The board will evaluate its rental policy at the new Bullock school and will look at raising rates on what was called a "premiere" facility.

— School board president Shelly Lombard praised the new MHS Football Coach John Fiore. She said she's received many good reports on his program, emphasizing that he's not only encouraging the boys to play good football, but also to perform volunteer work and to do well in school.