In addition to its science standards, the school district is readying upgrades for two high school labs as part of its aim to prepare students for college and careers.

Last week, the West Milford Board of Education approved a $ 251,000 contract for the purchase and installation of new laboratory casework and equipment for West Milford High School. Eric Siegal, K-12 supervisor of science, said the pending upgrades are part of comprehensive renovations designed to provide hands-on lab space for students to collaborate and physically explore the key areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“We need to have more hands-on activities and we need more lab space for those classes to occur,” he said. “Without that lab space, or capacity, we’re more limited.”

Siegal said teachers currently have to share lab space and are hamstrung by the limited amount of time they have to setup classroom demonstrations for certain experiments. In addition, he said the district-funded upgrades will add outlets, lab tables, and needed space for new engineering focused-programs like robotics, which was added as a secondary program in the high school for 2014-15.

Business Administrator Barbara Francisco said the district is feeling some pressure to boost its STEM-affiliated programs and infrastructure given the pending creation of…………… continues on NorthJersey.com

little falls- Pam Porter, Little Falls councilwoman and council liaison to the local schools, addressed the Passaic Valley Board of Education at its March 24 meeting asking how many applicants applied for the newly created dean of students position and how many interviews were conducted.

“What are the salaries and or stipends that go along with the position of dean of students?”

Brennan said that there were four or five applicants for the dean of students position and that everyone who applied was interviewed.

“The salary is $ 80,000 for the dean of students position. Obviously the coaching salary hasn’t changed, at $ 10,100. The stipend hasn’t been established yet, and is still being negotiated.

Nick Sauter, former vice president for PVHS athletics and student activities, who retired three years ago, also commented in the open public comment portion, with regard to the dean of students position.

“One of the questions I’m asked very often is why the board overrode the superintendent’s recommendation regarding the position,” he said. “You are in violation of New Jersey School Board ethics. If that is so, I suggest you rescind the position, repost it, and do it the correct way. You have a new coach, and no question he’s a good coach Let’s put the position where it can help the school, not hurt the school. I’ve been getting…………… continues on NorthJersey.com