School board adopts state regulations for domestic partnerships

vernon - Four of five Vernon Township schools did not meet the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, but, the board of education said, the fault lies not with the schools but with the criteria used to report deficient schools. "It's only because of special-ed," said Superintendent Anthony Macerino at the Aug. 25 board of education meeting. "Only schools with 30 or more special-ed students have to be reported." Macerino said that special education students take the same tests that all students take to measure compliance with the law. If they don't make progess, the school will be reported as deficient. But, said Macerino, "They're not going to do well on these tests." Other school districts face the same reality, but, Macerino said, those with fewer than 30 special-ed students are publicly reported if those students aren't making progress. "I know of 17 other schools that are in the same category that we're in, but they don't have 30 special- ed kids, so they don't get reported." Macerino blamed the act. "It requires schools to be on the defensive," he said. In other action at the meeting, the board approved several policies, including one that puts the district in compliance with the N.J. Domestic Partnership Act. Last August, the board granted domestic partnership status to district employees who qualified. The action last Thursday adopted the state guidelines for such status. The board voted 8-1 to approve the policy, with board member John P. O'Connor being the lone negative vote. "I don't believe it's the right thing to do," O'Connor said. "I believe it is a form of reverse discrimination against ordinary people." The board also approved a policy for students who have anaphylaxis to food items. Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that, if not treated immediately with an injection, can cause death. In general, students are not allowed to carry medications with them, but must arrange to have them distributed by the school nurse. The board's policy allows students with anaphylaxis to foods to carry and administer their own medicine. The policy states that the school will provide some alternatives to foods that students can not eat, but it puts responsibility on the children and their parents. It noted that at times "food and/or beverages will be served as part of a classroom experience, field trip and/or classroom celebration. Because the ingredients of these food products may be unknown . . . a pupil with anaphylaxis to food should not consume any food products that he/she is unsure of the ingredients." Under the policy, teachers must give students advance notice of when food will be served as part of the classroom experience so pupils can bring their own items from home.