School Board Drafts Goals for School Year

The Hopatcong School District's financial struggles loomed large Monday, as the board of education took its first crack at developing board and district goals lists for the upcoming school year.

A portion Monday's meeting at the district administration building was conducted without district Superintendent Dr. Charles Maranzano, who left for personal reasons. Board member Joan Reilly was also absent.

Monday's meeting was the first during which goals were discussed. Board members will work on recommendations until the Sept. 27 meeting, when a final goals list will be approved.

First drafts of the goals lists were passed out to the board, but not to the public. However, Business Administrator Thereasa Sierchio read the goals to the public after they were discussed.

Tentative board goals

• Cope with the economic impact affecting the Hopatcong school district and continue to provide quality education to its students.
• Prepare for and successfully complete the [New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum] 2011.
• Continue to revisit the five-year, long-range facility plan with consideration given to projects beyond five years and demonstrate the financial need in critical timelines associated with major building and systems upkeep.

Tentative district goals

• Administer the limited financial resources to maximize educational opportunities for students during severe economic times.
• Continue to enhance outreach efforts to educate the community of the value of Hopatcong's public schools.
• Mitigate and evaluate the overall effect of the staff reductions over the past two years on the educational program by monitoring the effects of larger class sizes on student success rates and test scores.