N.
Warren seeks input on how to expand
Crowding is issue. Meeting set
for Tuesday. Architect has several plans.
Monday, January 09, 206 • By KAT MAIN • The
Express-Times
BLAIRSTOWN TWP. | Faced with overcrowding
and facilities they say are badly in need of renovation,
North Warren Regional School District officials are inviting
residents to join them Tuesday in deciding the district's
future.
"We know we have to do something, but at
the same time if we don't take into account community needs
and concerns, (any action is) not going to go anywhere,"
said Bob Brant, president of the district's board of
education.
Superintendent John Toleno said the
district has been exploring possible solutions for close to
a year.
Toleno said overcrowding will be a main
topic beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday at North Warren Regional
High School. According to Toleno, the 110,000-square-foot
complex that houses the middle school and high school is
already 70 students above capacity.
Current enrollment is 1,081, Toleno said.
The number is up 136 from 2001.
Brandt said no new classes can be offered
because there aren't any extra classrooms in which to
teach.
To combat these and other problems,
Toleno said the district has been working with an architect
to come up with four to five plans of action to offer
Tuesday.
Toleno said solutions include renovations
to the 33-year-old high school building and the addition of
a second level to the middle school, as well as other
expansions and renovation.
The plans are preliminary at best, Toleno
said. At this point, officials are simply presenting the
options to the community to get input and suggestions, he
said.
Toleno said changes, if any, would be
decided upon after the meeting and would have to go before
voters in a referendum. Toleno said any referendum would
probably happen in December.
"We're not just sneaking up on"
taxpayers, he said. "We're trying to be open and honest so
we can figure out what needs to be done. The taxpayers may
turn around and say we're not willing to pay. We're going to
have to deal with what we deal with," Toleno
said.
- North Warren Regional School District covers 96.8
square miles and serves the townships of Blairstown,
Frelinghuysen, Hardwick and Knowlton.
- The middle/high school complex teaches grades 7-12,
with an average size of 25.5 students per class.
Reporter Kat Main can be reached at 908-475-8044 or by
e-mail at kmain@express-times.com.
© 2006 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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