Hoboken Board of Education Debates Lap Top Program, Penn Relays

In the midst of budget discussions and work shops, some time was spent discussing a three-day field trip as well as a laptop program during last night's Board of Education meeting. 

Hoboken High School's track and field team will be sending five boys and five girls to compete in the Penn Relays, an annual track and field competition at the University of Pennsylvania.

The three-day field trip will cost no more than $3,000, according to last night's agenda (the teams are throwing fundraisers to help pay for the trip).

Judith Burrell, coach for the boys as well as the girls track teams at Hoboken High School, got up during the public portion to explain why it was important to send the students to Pennsylvania and let them compete.

"This is a great opportunity for our athletes, they'll be seen by many colleges," Burrell said. 

Board member Maureen Sullivan expressed some worries about the costs of sending the students to the Penn Relays. She doesn't agree with Interim Superintendent Peter Carter's opinion that programs should not be measured by dollars and cents. As a board member, she said, she has to consider the costs. 

Four seniors are raising funds to pay for the field trip, instead of going on their senior outing, Burrell said. 

She also defended the importance of athletics in schools in general, saying that she got a full track and field scholarship to attend college.

"What do you get out of athletics?" Burell asked, "I got an education."

The school board's athletics budget is $810,000, said Sullivan, which is spent on high school sports (18 teams, and 14 different sports). 

"This money is being spent wisely," Board President Rose Marie Markle said about funds needed for the field trip. 

Laptops for Students

The board—as well as some members of the public—also discussed a laptop program for 7th and 8th graders. The program would provide students with a laptop to take home. The Board approved the program 7-1. 

Although the costs of the program would be covered by a federal grant right now, the board will have to pay for it in future years. 

Board member Ruth McAllister said she is very excited about the laptop program. 

Sullivan said she has some doubts about the program. "I don't see we have the money going forward," she said.