Principals: Current Sports Facilities 'Far Inferior' to Needs

Students at Whippany Park and Hanover Park High Schools are using athletic facilities that are not up to their needs, according to the schools' two principals.

"Our fields, as they currently exist, are in poor condition and have become almost impossible to maintain," Principal Thomas Callahan of Hanover Park High said. Also, he said, the fields and track are "far inferior to the schools we travel to play against." 

Callahan has previously said the marching band and physical education classes cannot use the fields because they have to save the grass for athletic teams.

Whippany Park Principal John Manning said the fields at his school have not been touched in 19 years. In that time, he said, "I have seen an increase in field usage by school, township and community teams. This has been a very positive development but one that has taken a toll on the condition of the fields and track."

Sports teams at both schools have won accolades and tournaments in recent years, and Callahan said students have also given their own time in campus clean-ups and the annual One Day, One School day of service. Students have also raised standardized test scores and won honors in academic and service programs.

Manning described students as "dedicated, caring young adults who spend a large part of their lives on our campus. [They] are the centerpiece of our school and our greatest asset."

Now, Callahan said, "They deserve to have a facility that is safe and usable. The new facility will provide our students with the opportunity to compete, practice, learn, and perform in a safe environment and in one in which they can be proud to call their home." 

Both principals have what they call a special desire to see the referendum pass: Callahan's wife is an alumna of Hanover Park High, and as an East Hanover resident his own children will one day use these fields. Manning started his career at Whippany Park as the athletic director and worked his way to principal.

More than that though, in Callahan's words, "This project is for the students. ... Our students deserve this."

Voters have the chance Tuesday to approve a $17.5 million referendum to replace and improve the athletic facilities at the two high schools.

Superintendent Carol Grossi said the administration looked at possible overhauls for the fields for several years. They chose to act now because of the low interest rates and construction costs. 

"We cannot wait any longer to repair our fields that are mostly beyond repair. Just as we find as homeowners there comes a time when ‘repair’ is no longer an option and we must begin to ‘replace,’” Grossi said.

The funds will be bonded out at a 3.25 percent interest rate over 20 years. A breakdown of the costs is outlined in a PDF on the district website.

“We believe that this is the best plan we could design for our students.  With input from the Board of Education, administration, coaches, and community members, we have brought forth a state of the art Athletic and Physical Education Athletic Fields Master Plan, one in which everyone can be proud," Grossi said.

However, with a two percent tax levy cap, a growing student population and the increasing costs of health care and pensions, this project is one the district cannot support on their operating budget.

A table showing the estimated tax impacts to East Hanover, Florham Park and Hanover is below.

The vote is scheduled for 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 12.

A simple majority in the polls Tuesday—50 percent plus one vote—is needed for the referendum to pass. Any fewer than that, even a tie, and the vote will fail.