Funds for Softball Fields, New Dates For Senior Trip, Discussed by Board

Candace Braun

The passing of a resolution that will push forward a decision about adding softball fields at John Witherspoon Middle School, and a discussion of problems that still exist with Princeton High School parking, were among the topics discussed by the Princeton Regional School Board at their meeting on Tuesday, November 23.

The Board unanimously passed a resolution that asks the administration to consider providing funds in the 2005-06 school budget for two new softball fields, and to update the existing field at John Witherspoon. Eric Amkraut, the district's athletic director, and Interim Superintendent Richard Marasco will investigate the cost for adding the fields, which has been estimated at $66,000.

The resolution follows on the heels of a lawsuit filed last month by parents of female softball and ice hockey students at PHS. The parents contended that the district was in violation of Title IX, which makes it illegal for schools to deny educational benefits on the basis of gender.

Jim Mahon, one of the parents who filed the lawsuit, said yesterday that he's happy the Board is responding to the parents' concerns, although the lawsuit will move forward until the Board has met their requests.

"Any solution is going to require our agreement," he said.

In other high school matters, the Board approved the changed dates for the PHS senior trip. Originally scheduled for late April, the trip was opposed by Board members because it would cost $700 per person, which they felt would exclude students who wouldn't be able to find the funds to attend.

By changing the dates to March 3-7, students would now pay $200 less. Some Board members still didn't approve of the cost, however.

"I can't endorse the concept of this trip and I don't want it repeated in future years," said Walter Bliss, who, along with Joann Cunningham, voted against it.

PHS Parking Woes

Prior to the Board's approval of a $1,000 payment to Princeton Borough for the PHS parking permits, Board member Joshua Leinsdorf read a statement about his disapproval of the system that has been put in place and the monetary burden that he feels has fallen on the district.

"The parking policy is harming education," said Mr. Leinsdorf, adding that the district shouldn't have to pay for the use of roads that are already paid for through municipal taxes.

Charlotte Bialek, Board vice president, also voiced concern with the parking plan, saying that she has received more than 30 emails of complaint from parents who, under the new system, can't find places to park when they come to the school.

"I have a real problem with what happened with the parking ... It's gone too far and they're unwilling to make any changes within the next year," she said.

Tom Hillman, one of the Board's student representatives, said that police don't appear to be enforcing the permit parking, and that when students find a car parked illegally action is taken only if they call the police and notify them.

"I don't see any benefit to us spending money to have this enforced," he said.

Mr. Bliss contended that the system has at least improved the parking around the high school, since students no longer have to run out every two hours to move their cars: "At least with this system ... students are assured they have some place to park."

Board President Anne Burns added that the ad hoc parking committee agreed to not put the burden of parking permits on students, which is why the district is paying for them.

While the bill payment ultimately passed, Mr. Leinsdorf, Ms. Bialek, and Ms. Cunningham voted against it.