Board of Ed Debates Funding of Student Organizations

The decision to approve extra funding for several extra-curricular activities turned into a brief debate during Monday’s Chatham Board of Education meeting, with one board member voting against it.

The board was voting to approve extra duty stipends for administrative supervision of the Film Criticism Club, the Yearbook, and the Robotics/Technology Club, all at the high school; and the All School Production (musical) at the middle school.

Board member Kim Cronin asked why the district was funding stipends for some of the clubs, and board member Al Burgunder suggested making a general policy about putting a set amount aside for unfunded organizations. Board Vice President Richard Connors said he doesn’t think it should be a blanket policy, but he does think the board should consider setting money aside for students who are involved in clubs that are parent-funded, such as the new fencing and girls golf teams.

The fencing team was the first time Chatham High had a sport that was entirely parent-funded. The Chatham Athletic Boosters provided some of the start-up money to purchase equipment, which, besides weapons, included jackets, helmpets, chest protectors and gloves. Still, a significant part of the expense was absorbed by the parents, who paid somewhere between $300 and $450.

“This item has had a great deal of attention paid to it by the personnel committee, and the suggestion has been made that we establish parameters under which a student activity be evaluated for sponsoring by the district,” said Board President Tom Belding. “I think it’s very reasonable, but it needs to be reviewed by the personnel or curriculum committees. We need to decide how we come up with guidelines for helping support student activities.”

The board approved the extra duty stipends, with Burgunder casting the sole vote against the motion.

In other business:

• Board members accepted the resignation of Chatham High Athletic Director Harvey Cohen for the purposes of retirement. He was reapppointed to his position of ice hockey coach. The board will hire a new athletic director on January 1.
• Resident Jane Devlin spoke during the public comment session to express her support for teacher Sarah Hines, who recently resigned her position at Lafayette School. After a brief, private discussion with Superintendent Jim O’Neil and Belden, to determine if Devlin could publicly name the teacher, she gave a brief overview of a letter she had sent privately to the board.
  
  “I am going on record to say I was grieved to learn that Miss Hinds will be separating from the district,” Devlin said. “I feel that she has been a very good teacher. She has acted with dignity and graciousness. She touched many lives - students, family and colleagues. She always set an example and I would not hesitate to tell any youngster to be like that teacher. I do hope that in the future, there is an opportunity for Miss Hinds to return to our district.”

Editor's note: A previous version of this article stated that Harvey Cohen would be replaced as hockey coach in January. The article has been corrected and Chatham Patch apologizes for the error.