TIMES
MICROMEDIA PUBLICATIONS, INC.
THE HOWELL
Vol. 13 - No. 30
Howell Council Calls For School Funding Reform By Daniel Nee HOWELL – Though they have no control over the Howell Township or Freehold Regional school district budgets, the municipal governing body in Howell endorsed a state school funding plan floated by Gov. Chris Christie. Christie’s so-called “fairness formula” would equalize state aid to each student in New Jersey public schools regardless of where they live, with disabled students continuing to receive additional federal aid. As it currently stands, about 60 percent of all state aid flows to 31 low-income, mostly urban districts following a series of state Supreme Court decisions known as the Abbott cases. Christie has said a lack of state funding to suburban schools has led to New Jersey’s highestin-the-nation property taxes and favors a referendum on a future election ballot to equalize the aid. Urban officials and teachers unions oppose the plan, saying it would decimate the finances of urban school districts. That argument did not convince Howell officials, who unanimously threw their support behind the equalization of aid and Christie’s plan. “What we’ve seen is this money going to nice football fields and beautiful swimming pools in these districts, but the education hasn’t gotten better,” said Deputy Mayor Robert Nicastro. According to state estimates, Howell residents would save an average of $442 per year if funding were equalized. “If anything is going to accomplish (Funding - See Page 4)
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Inside This Week’s Edition Business Directory ........................... 12 Classifieds ........................................ 13 Community News ........................... 8-9 Dear Joel ..........................................15 Dear Pharmacist .............................. 11 Fun Page ......................................... 14 Inside The Law ................................. 14 Letters to the Editor ............................ 6 Wolfgang ......................................... 15 WWW.MICROMEDIAPUBS.COM
December 31, 2016
Concerns O�er Dr�� Use In 55+ Comm�nity
–Photos by Sara Grillo A trustee at The Villages asked local officials to help provide increased police presence in the neighborhood. By Sara Grillo borhood, and hopes the police can assist. have police control at random times to see HOWELL – The ways a nationwide Reeve Apgar, Safety & Environmental if we can get some coverage on this drug dr ug abuse epidemic is manifesting Trustee for The Villages, spoke out about abuse problem in The Villages,” said Apgar. locally extend into senior communities, the “ongoing” drug abuse problem at the Mayor Bill Gotto suggested Apgar set up a residents said. December 12 township council meeting. meeting with the police chief to identify the One resident of The Villages, a 55 and “I’d like to get a police car there for an issues and find the best path to assistance. over community in Howell, said they see an hour or two a week to monitor the traffic and Signs of an ongoing drug issue are echoed ongoing drug abuse problem in the neigh- the speeding in the area, and also at night to (Drug - See Page 4)
Incidents Up In Howell Schools Bullying Report
By Catherine Galioto HOWELL – The most recent semi-annual Violence, Vandalism and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Report for Howell Schools shows an increase over the same period last year. The report stretches from January to June, 2016, when there were 23 separate incidents. For that period last year, the number was 18. However, the 23 incidents is still fewer than what was reported for that same period of January to June for the years 2014 and 2013, according to the district. Going back further, the 2014 period had 29
incidents, and 2013 period had 44 incidents. Looking at the January to June 2016 numbers, the report showed: Three cases of violence reported; two cases of vandalism; one case of violence and vandalism that involved a weapon; five cases of substance abuse and 12 cases of confirmed HIB during that six month period. In addition, the district conducted 42 staff training sessions and 121 programs for students throughout the district’s 12 schools. By law, the report must be given semi-annually. School Administrator Patricia Callander provided further details of the report at the
October school board meeting, according to the minutes. The third week in October is designated as School Violence Week in New Jersey, she said then. But the district also observed a Week of Respect October 3 through 7. Callendar reported that every district is required to plan activities to prevent school violence and to invite law enforcement personnel to provide activities and training for staff and students throughout the school district. For Howell, these activities included special training sessions on safety for students, drug awareness, bullying awareness and bias prevention.
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