Parking, Contract Settlements Are Discussed By School Board

Candace Braun

The Princeton Regional Board of Education addressed a number of issues at its last meeting for the 2004-2005 school year, including construction progress, how to improve parking at the high school for the fall, and how to proceed with budget planning for next year's election.

On finishing up the school year, School Board President Anne Burns said: "I think we can look back on this year and feel good about where we came from and where we are."

She mentioned new construction finishing up at the elementary schools and near completion at the middle school among the accomplishments the district has made, along with implementing a new parking system at Princeton High School, and hiring a new superintendent of schools.

Still thankful for the passing of the $67 million budget and $1.9 million second ballot question in April, Finance Chairman Alan Hegedus told the Board that the finance committee will soon begin budget planning for next year, as the district is anticipating keeping costs down and not asking voters to approve a second question in 2006.

With the state continuing its restrictions on school budgets and with state funding remaining stagnant for a fourth year, the district will have some tough decisions to make again this coming year, said Mr. Hegedus: "We have a real challenge in front of us."

On construction, Facilities Chairman Michael Mostoller said that the new arts center and auditorium are making visible progress at the high school, evidence that construction is now moving forward on schedule. This summer, extensive roof replacement will take place at PHS, and the path on Guyot Avenue at the middle school will be replaced. Aggressive playground clean-ups will also take place at all four elementary schools.

Over the next several months, the facilities committee will continue examining its long range plans for the district, which will include renovations at the Valley Road Building, said Mr. Mostoller.

Last Tuesday the Board approved a contract agreement with the Princeton Regional Administrators Association (PRAA). Administrators' salaries will increase 4.25 percent the first year, and 3.75 percent for the second and third year.

"This was a very good settlement, one we spent a lot of time on," said Board President Anne Burns. "It was a very honest and open negotiation."

Ms. Burns added that it was the last contract negotiation to be settled this year, and that the PRAA agreement settles all administrator contracts through June 2008.

A contract with the Princeton Regional Education Association was settled in December 2004, six months before the old contract expired. The contract, which will also expire in three years, will give teachers a 4.65 percent raise the first year, and a 4.7 percent salary increase in the second and third years.

After receiving opposition from the Borough and Township, Ms. Burns announced last Tuesday that the district will not be moving forward with the plan to end student parking at the high school at 3 p.m., rather than the current 6 p.m.

Instead, the district will be asking the municipalities for 20 additional parking permits for students, as well as some spaces for visitors who come to the high school during student parking hours.

"Increasing the number of permits will be a good compromise," said Ms. Burns, adding that asking for the change in hours was going to be "a very big fight for very little gain."

Ms. Burns will address Borough Council on the parking issue at its meeting on Tuesday, June 28.

In other news, the district announced that John Miranda would be the new athletic director. Mr. Miranda is currently the business education teacher at PHS, and will have an annual salary increase of more than $25,000 dollars, up to $106,000 dollars.

"It's always a pleasure when one of our own is qualified for the position above those who apply outside the district," said Jeffrey Spear, chair of the personnel committee. "I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job."

The Board also announced the new student representatives on the Board: Andrew Black and Jane Dobkin. The students will serve on the Board through the 2005-2006 school year.