Hope it will be maintained better than the Reading Garden that was designed and installed in the back of Tulsa Trail Library by students from Sussex County Vocational about 5 years ago.

While this looks like a wonderful thing for the school in general how are they going to supervise the students. They don't seem to be able to stop the students from coming and going from inside the school during the day at it is. the excuse the administration give us is that they do not have enough personnel to keep tabs on all the doors.

"Most" of the funds came from graduating classes....where did the rest come from? The classof 2012 didn't have that much money left over....so YES, the BOE is supporting another "waste" of money! Why? Because a Board Member's son came up with the idea...ya know "support one of their own". I was at that meeting when Jr. Lavery spoke and in front of a group of people the BOE said, it's not a reality in this economy when we have all the ESP's (in audience) still looking for a contract too!
Guess what? The aides still have no contract (rumor is they offered them 9 cents an hr) but HHS will have an outdoor space that won't get used and will be "trashed" by years' end....way to get your priorities straight once again Hopatcong! And people want to know why I am embarrassed to say where I live!

JenniferB. Give them a vitamin pill. As a parent you have the obligation to keep your child healthy and away from video games, not the school system, Do you realize the ramifications of this idiotic idea and extremely wasteful situation they have created. The question is again where is the money coming from and 9c hour for people that are an asset to this system. How degrading, but yet we hold higher standards for a former student and a board members relative. Hey, I have an idea. let them pay full price for the added expense. see how far that goes. Wake up Bd members we are fed up with the lame excuses and foolish decisions you are making. how would Dr. M feel about a 9c an hour increase. He'd probably take it because he isn't quite done raking us over the coals. Let's support the people that mean something and can make a difference. After this foolish outdoor gathering place comes to fruitation hold your next board meeting there because you all need more vitaminD.

You people are so negative, its sickening! If you hate everything about the town......MOVE!!!

When you respectfully debate with someone Emily, I will then answer your posts.

The high school I attended allowed the kids to leave the building for lunch. It was their responsiblity to return on time. The kids are old enough to understand the consequences at hand it they are late or do not return. I think its a great alternative to eating inside. Change is Good!

This is not going to end well just saying. Kids leave no matter what and now your going to let them have lunch outside? Ya good luck keeping a eye on them.

You people are talking like they're prisoners. If that's how you treat them, of course they're not going to want to be there

I also was at that board meeting where Lavery Jr. asked the board to fund this outside eating idea. The Board at that time said there was no money for an idea like this and some of the board members expressed concern over who would supervise the students outside. It was so obvious by the proud look on Lavery Sr.'s face that he thought this was a wonderful idea. What a coincidence that now this idea is becoming a reality! This board must think we are very stupid indeed. No money for the support staff that work so hard, but plenty for the board member's son to get his outside eating area. We all know who will end up supervising this outside area don't we? The aides of course! How ironic is that?

Many citizens in town were present at that board meeting in support of the Educational Support Personnel (ESP) yet Dr. Maranzano says with regard to Lavery, Jr.'s request:"It was his voice that was heard at the board meetings....It caused us to have a discussion about how it could happen." Really - that was the only voice that was heard? Oh right how could the voice of the ESP's and their supporters be heard Dr. Maranzano was too busy rolling his eyes when they spoke.
How is there money left over from graduating classes when the last few were struggling to make ends meet-why weren't the "leftover" funds from the class of '82 used to assist the classes that followed? Mike I agree it will be the ESP's supervising and the custodians who will have to clean up the mess. What a slap in the face to these employees - wake up Hopatcong - these people are your friends and neighbors who work just as hard as yourselves for every dollar they earn.

James: I would MOVE if I could but you have all destroyed this town to wear I cannot even sell my house for what I owe (I don't even care about getting what it's worth, I'd be happy to sell it for the balance on my mortgage) which I cannot do in 2012! I grew up here, so I shouldn't have to move if I'm unhappy, I should be able to go to meetings, voice my opinion and change what is wrong with this town and starting with frivolous spending...as an HHS graduate, an outside lunch area is DUMB!

*where (not wear)

How am I destroying this town?

anything connected to fresh air...either with food,school work,or good times with friends has to be excellent for moral....but it is a little windy in the fall,cold in the winter and wet in the spring...might only get 30 days of actual use....but on the other hand plant some trees with some hedge row,... not a fence.... and it`ll be perfect addition to history of HHS

Hey jennifer, I thought you weren't going to debate with me. Please do me a favor and not respond because I am To,Two,or too (pick one) intelligent for you. Yes I am now laughing because you had to respond. Gotta ya.

The Hopatcong solution is simple. Get grant money, or a donation, to pay for 8 foot chain link fence (razor wire is optional) that will surround the area. Re-direct the surveillance camera(s), already in place, to cover the area. That way we don't have to pay for additional supervision and let the kids have fun!

Tougue and cheek aside,do they not go outside at anytime during the school day?....I remember gym...and oh....and that C-wing crossing to the library....anyway with fire exits everywhere,why would anyone wait till its time to eat to make the run, perceptions or percriptions seem to be the only real problem here!

Nucky...a large chain link fence on the side of the building would be UGLY! It has nothing to do with "kids" running away because if they wanted to do that, they could leave out any exit during the day!
The whole point of my "complaint" was they are speniding money on something that is going to be destroyed by year's end (mainly grafitti).....I mean seriously...HHS has been without an outdoor eating area for 30 years and "for the most part" lol turned out ok!
I mean there is so much the schools need first, that the only reason it got started so quickly (I mean concept to reality was a few months, pathetic) was because it was the idea of a Board Members son!!!! FACT!!!
Have extra money? Pay the Aides what they are worth, not 9c over the min wage they make.....
OR
How about some A/C in the auditorium!! Yes, that's a luxury (but we do have solar energy now, so there would be no electric bill) but it's disgusting how hot it gets in there for the spring plays and awards shows...you want townspeople to support the arts but it's unbearable to sit and watch when it's 100 degrees in there!!
There was just better things to do with our money!!!

Jennifer, let it go. If anybody needs meds, you do. We have to stick with the issues not the personel attacks, but you can't do that. how sad. Respect is what you say you have for other people, then why aren't you showing it. your off my list, now take me off yours. As of today i don't have time for you childish nonsence. Have a great week-end, and I really mean that.

Im pretty sure air conditioning the auditorium would cost ALOT more than a patio. You people talk about how its all about the kids, then you come on here and talk about them like they're criminals that need to be locked away all day. And then of course you argue with each other like little children. Way to set the example

FYI: the money from the class of '82 consisted of contributions from members of that class, recently made in anticipation of our 30th reunion.

James, the venting for air condition is already in place inthe auditorium (I guess at one point that was their goal) so I am sure it wouldn't take much more to actually hook it up and use the solar panels....just think of all the money they just spent and we probably could've put A/C and had left overs (new track, paved parking lot, new HS office, countless painting projects (which the same painted areas get done every year), outdoor eating area, etc).....
Still think the aides deserved the money before anything else? But the question still lingers...if we as a school are SO broke? Where did all the money come from to do the projects they have already completed????

I agree that the outside area is a costly risk....however in regards to the air conditioning ducts for the auditorium as someone who has been on the roof of the school and has worked within that field it is all way outdated and would have to be completely tore out and redone

Just black out all the windows, put bars on them and lock all the doors. That should make you happy. You went from an outdoor patio to new air conditioning, a new track, and raises. Wow, im glad you just whine on here and arent actually on the school board or we'd really be in trouble

hey jennifer, Would you like some whine with that cheese. I don't go away that easy. I just choose to ignore you from now on because you were becoming my entertainment how sad is that.I went on here to express my opinion on a situation that would effect my taxes and you turned it on all about you. Well got to go I have a ball to look for. Toodles.

The main point of all this is the fact that this outside area is being made because of a board member's son. If this were anyone else's child it never would have been considered. The fact that "Chuck" was so enthralled with the idea is further proof that he is totally controlled by the board. I guess the sincere remarks made by the support personnel at that same board meeting didn't matter to him at all. It was more important to please Lavery Sr. What a joke of a educational system we have. We have a major drug and discipline problem at the high school, yet lets concentrate on a outside eating area!

jennife dear, yes I did let it go . Move on honey, life has much more to offer then going back and forth and really having nothing to say. I told you it was all about you "publicily making a statement about you, and. you can make statements about me and it's okay. Double standards uhm. I have better fish to fry right now so bye bye to you.

James...re-read my comments...I went from outdoor seating to the "rest" was because we already have the new track...I was pointing out all the money they have spent thus far when they said we were broke! Doesn't sound broke to me....I said if they have all this money they are dying to spend it should be on something sibstantial (ie: air conditioning) and I mention the A/C as a pure Hopatcong "thing"....we want people to comes to the plays, dance recitals and awards shows but it gets SO hot in there....let it benefit more people......but NO, that wasn't the idea of a board members son!!! Lavery Jr. even commented during that board meeting that he "feels for the aides but we should be thinking about the kids"...oh yeah...pay the aides minimum wage to watch the kids outside to make sure they are not graffitting the patio...pathetic!!!

Yea but this has nothing to do with ths aides. This is being built with donations. You can't give raises with donated money. You can twist it however you want .....two separate issues

It's NOT all donated money...read the article....said..."much of the project was funded..." and even the title says ..."at hardly any cost to tax payers...." which means whatever money the donations doesn't covered is paid for by whom??? FUNDS that the board has access too (taxpayer money) so YES I have the right to say it shouldn't be built with "my money"....and rumor has it only $4000 was donated...those guys have been out there for 2 weeks and they're not even close to being done so I am 100% sure that project cost WAY more than that.....I'd like to see that bill!!!!!

You're GUESSING that it cost more. You dont actually know that.

You're right...I am guessing but it takes take a genius to figure it out either! Have you seen the place? Concrete the whole length of the cafeteria (it took 3 trucks, FACT because I am there everyday)...all new sidewalks from the auditorium to the front of the building (I am sure that wasn't in the original project). New brick borders and the tables aren't even there yet and they have been there for over 2 weeks. There is about a dozen guys onthe job....you cannot tell me that it hasn't cost over $4000 unless those workers are working for free, their salary alone cost more!!
Please stop trying to protect the fact the BOE made a HUGE mistake here about spending money that wasn't there's to begin with when they claim they're broke and have no "extra" money but yet, they have been spending it left & right this summer in frivulous things!
Wake up Hopatcong or we truly will be bankrupt sooner rather than later!!!
WE NEED A NEW BOE not "old timers" who can't seem to leave their position because they run un-opposed! New principals, new staff, time for a new BOE....revamp this town to the way it was and there wouldn't be an economic crisis here with poor functioning schools.....Hopatcong wasn't always like this!!

You all, as parents and non students find this a bad idea. While on the other hand, the students of HHS and upcoming students, love this. Never in Hopatcong were we allowed to go, and eat outside. Whats it matter how much it costs? This is something the students want, if you keep the kids happy, their more likely to stay out of trouble. Dont you pay ridiculous amounts of money for your kids video game systems and other things, that they forget about in a month? This will be around for years to come. Graffiti is art, we dont need everything looking bland, like the rest of Hopatcong, so it needs to be spiced up. Think about where you went to school, did you have somewhere to go outside to hangout for 45 minutes? Did you like it, or wish you had it? Exactly. This is something, I, and many of HHS and upcoming HHS students, believe is a great idea. Before you start bashing the BOE and everyone else, find out what the people who will have to deal with it everyday think.

They just like to complain.....that will never change. I hope you enjoy it.