BOE Renews Schools' Comprehensive Equity Plan

The Parsippany-Troy Hills Board of Education addressed the issues of school bullying, violence reduction and equal access at its May 26 meeting.

The body approved the continuance of the Comprehensive Equity Plan, a state-mandated training effort that seeks to prevent in-school harrassment, reduce violence between students, and make schools more accessible to handicapped people. 

In a special presentation before the board and the public, district Affirmative Action Officer Matthew McGrath said the CEP covers four areas: 

• Reducing violence: The plan sets a goal of a five percent reduction in the number of acts of student to student violence. "We have reduced violence consistently," McGrath said, however, the state wants violence reduction to remain an area of focus for schools.
• Creating a more tolerant atmosphere through employment and contract practices: McGrath said schools are working to attract more non-white faculty and staff members in the interest of promoting diversity. While the goal of increasing the number of minority staff by two percent has been met and exceeded, McGrath said the state believes diversity remains an issue that needs to be addressed.
• Boosting equality and equity in curriculum: School officials found a disproportionately high number of male and non-white students being suspended at Parsippany and Parsippany Hills high schools. Programs featuring character education and anti-bullying efforts were employed to cut the number of suspensions by 10 percent. McGrath said that while the suspension rate has dropped, the state has determined that more work needs to be done in this area and that it must be made a priority.
• Making schools more accessible to disabled people: McGrath noted that this goal is taking more time to complete because of funding considerations. Improvements in accessibility have been made, McGrath said, noting the examples of an elevator installed at Brooklawn Middle School and a wheelchair ramp at Parsippany Hills High. Under CEP, more accessibility projects will take place in other schools.

"We've made great strides," McGrath said.

The board approved the plan unanimously. The CEP will remain in effect until 2013, at which time it may again be renewed.

The BOE meeting also included a host of student achievement awards. The audience was treated to a performance of the national anthem by the Parsippany Hills High School choir.

In an effort to create more harmony on the sometimes contentious board, President Frank Calabria changed the members' seating arrangements to break up cliques and alliances. As a result, there was little conflict throughout the evening. A resident in the audience stood and thanked the president for bringing "openness, civility and honesty" back the the board.

The next Board of Education meeting takes place on June 9 at 7 p.m. in the Parsippany Hills High School auditorium.