Students Propose School Board Liasons

Hopatcong Board of Education President Cliff Lundin said the school board would consider involving Hopatcong High School students more in its decision-making process.

Juniors Cliff Lundin, the president's son, and Richard Lavery, board member Richard Lavery's son, asked the board what kind of information it wanted from students during Monday night's meeting. The student Lavery said he thought the each class should have scholastic, arts and athletic representative.

President Cliff Lundin said the school board he would like the board to meet with student representatives at least once a month. He said the school board had a student representative during the 1970s and 1980s. "The student representative wasn't part of contracts or negotiations," he said. "And it couldn't move to ban homework."

"But we saw it as a good way of getting the student input," he said.

Board member Joan Reilly agreed.

"I thought it worked well until the students' interest waned a little bit because they were not coming to the meetings," she said. "But if they have the enthusiasm and want to elect somebody or rotate it monthly, I think this is something we can look into a little more."

Board member Joanne Passerini said the students might be best served at work sessions, where no formal action is taken.

"I'm looking forward to hearing from you and hearing from the student body," Reilly said.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said Lavery thought there should be a drama, not arts, representative.