Japanese Weekend School May Lease Space at West Brook

Talks are still ongoing between the Paramus Board of Education and the Japanese Weekend School which is considering leasing space at West Brook Middle School on Saturdays and Sundays come next spring when its lease ends at Paramus Catholic High School.

A final decision has not been made yet, according to Steve Cea, Paramus school board's business administrator. No exact figures were given on what the district would receive in additional revenue from the possible agreement however at a previous board of ed meeting it was stated this could bring in roughly $100,000 or more to the district.

The weekend school, which has roughly 450 students, would only be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays.

In addition to classroom space for instruction, Japanese Weekend School seeks use of the school's cafeteria for a 30-minute recess and its gym for an exercise period, according to Mr. Tomika, the school's deputy executive director who addressed the board trustees Monday night.

Paramus Board Trustee Anthony Balestrieri told fellow board members he made a recent unannounced visit to the school, which is still conducted at Paramus Catholic High School, spoke with staff and security  and determined it was “well run.”

He witnessed the breakdown of a classroom at the end of the day and found it to be left in perfect condition, which had been one of the concerns amongst board members. Balestieri said discipline throughout the entire school was excellent.

If an agreement is made it would not begin until April 2014, after the Japanese Weekend School lease with Paramus Catholic High School ends next March, according to Cea.