End of Students Knowing Class Rank Up For Vote

The Board of Education is expected to vote on a policy change Tuesday that would end the practice of Montville Township High School students knowing their class rank and having it reported on their student records and transcripts.

The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building.

The new policy is meant to change the culture at the high school, where class rank can be a distraction, discourage students from taking non-weighted classes they're passionate about, be defeating for those ranked at the bottom, and not necessarily an accurate reflection of how well students are doing, according to findings of a task force that explored the issue.

Despite the criticism of class rank, the district still will rank students by GPA for when reporting class rank is required for students to apply for certain colleges or scholarships, the proposal says. The district would continue its tradition of naming the class valedictorian and salutatorian, Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried has said.

Morris Canal Park

Montville Township has a new "linear pocket park" along Emery Lane off Route 202, marking where a huge, water-powered machine moved boats up inclines along the Morris Canal in the 1800s. Take a quick stroll on a mulch trail, read the new interpretive signs and keep an eye out for poison ivy.