Beth Bluj
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On the article Interim Superintendent Makes BOE Debut, Talks Fields
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On the article Report Card: Par Hills' Performance 'Average,' Par High's 'Lagging'
Beth Bluj
5:36 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013
ReplyBeth Grosh - I didn't write the article so I guess it's the American College of Sports Medicine that's on drugs.
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On the article Report Card: Par Hills' Performance 'Average,' Par High's 'Lagging'
Beth Bluj
1:58 pm on Friday, April 12, 2013
ReplyMaybe if we had better facilities for our PE classes to use and paid a little more attention to our sports programs our kids would do better academically. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/49250.php
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On the article Funeral Arrangements Set for Departed Soldier McConnell
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On the article Referendum Vote Fails by 382 Votes
Beth Bluj
7:00 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
ReplyIt is a huge loss - one that we suffered here in Parsippany as well. I was routing for you guys.
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On the article $132.42M Preliminary School Budget Approved
Beth Bluj
5:59 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
ReplyAs far as the sport groups - its not just about athletics. If the fields were improved it would positively impact every single kid in both high schools. How many other line items can say that? Every single kid takes gym class.
Let's take your philosophy for sponsorships: Should the parents that have kids in GRO look for sponsorships to pay for that line item, should the parents that have kids in ESL look for sponsorships to pay for that line item? There are many kids who are not positively impacted by those programs - should we cut from there to pay for things? Before anyone jumps all over me - I am not suggesting this - just making a point.
The township has a beautiful library that offers many free programs for young kids and is open 7 days a week. So, if a child misses their chance to go to their school library - they can certainly go to the public library. Again, don't jump all over me, I was a media secretary in the district for a few years, just making a point.
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On the article $132.42M Preliminary School Budget Approved
Beth Bluj
10:25 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
ReplyNatalie I never implied that it is a fad or a gimmick. I also stated that I used the Ipads as an 'example'. I think the IPads are a good idea - but not at the HS level. These high school kids can teach us how to use these devices. I also think it is fair to say that 1 in 5 probably already have one. I also don't like the idea, as a parent, of being responsible for a $600+ device.
When asked, the BOE had no idea how insurance for the devices was going to be handled, how lost/stolen/broken ones were going to handled, or how a child that cannot afford to pay for the insurance will be handled. All very serious, costly items that need to be added to the $1.2 they are proposing to spend. I am suggesting that until more research is done, don't jump into spending money on something that will be obsolete in 3-4 years.
The field conditions are and should be considered a major safety concern and will continue to be until they are addressed properly. If addressed, they will not be obsolete in 3-4 years.
I take offense to anyone that tries to imply that I am pitting athletics vs. academics. Budgets will always be 'tight' and that is NEVER going to change. So what do we do - continue to brush aside the fields issue? When does that end - when the state comes in and condemns them? Then what? -
On the article $132.42M Preliminary School Budget Approved
Beth Bluj
9:08 am on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
ReplyA proposed 3.4% increase and no substantial money for field improvements except $105,000 for retrofitting the bleachers at The High? The last 18 months, the pictures, the meetings, the pleas for field improvements from athletes, parents, community and all the the 'in-budget' funding ideas all continue to be brushed aside with the hopes of $$ falling from the sky.
There is some money to put more 'band aids' on the fields, but our student athletes can expect another year of unsafe, embarrassing fields with no hope for any major improvements. AKA - Status Quo - my biggest fear of the past 18 months.
Let's talk about the IPads in the HS. The board will be committing to $390,000 a year for 4 years. It's safe to say that in 4 years IPads will be obsolete. Why not take that money and put it towards a major field improvement? In four years that certainly won't be obsolete. **This is just an example**
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On the article In Budget Preview, BOE Hears $1.2 Million Plan for School Repairs
Beth Bluj
12:55 pm on Thursday, February 28, 2013
ReplyLP - the problem now is the issues are so far gone that replacements are going to need to happen. As similar to roofs, boilers, windows, etc. fields, tracks, and fences need to be replaced. These items have all just about exceeded their life expectancy. They are simply old.
Right, wrong, or indifferent, the fields have been allowed to deteriorate. Some will say it's because boilers and roofs had to take precendent, some will say it's because they were not maintained properly to begin with, some will say it was because of budget cuts to maintnenace. Regardless of what has happened in the past does not change the fact that they are in terrible shape and need to to start being addressed seriously.
In regards to using the field after it rains - no one uses the fields except the band to practice and football the day before a game for a walk through and on game day which is maybe 5x per year. I don't think they can be used any less than they already are.
The BOE has used Tru Green last year and has hired them again this year to take care of the fertilization. They hired the same contractor for cutting who came in last year after the first contractor was dismissed due to poor performance. So, they have been pro-active in regards to chemicals and holding contractors responsible.
I agree that we need a better system of maintaining and hopefully that will be taken into consideration moving forward -
On the article In Budget Preview, BOE Hears $1.2 Million Plan for School Repairs
Beth Bluj
8:49 am on Friday, April 26, 2013
I am happy to see that Dr. Fitzsimons is aware of the horrendous conditions of our school fields and realizes the importance of providing our schools with safe fields on which our athletes can compete and our students can have PE class.
Look at some of our neighbors: Randolph, Summit, Mendham, Chatham, Madison just to name a few. Those towns are able to provide great academics with top notch facilities and sports programs. We should expect no less here.
In the end we all want the same thing: for our kids to get the best education, in the safest environment , in the most up-to-date facilities we can have. It's about giving our students the total package like other towns in our county are already doing.