Enrollment up 43 pupils in Freehold Borough

Teachers, principals and other school staff members will welcome 1,405 children to Freehold Borough’s three schools on Sept. 7.

According to information provided by administrators, Freehold Intermediate School will have an enrollment of 397 pupils (up from 387 in 2009-10); Park Avenue Elementary School will have an enrollment of 509 pupils (up from 477 in 2009-10); Freehold Learning Center elementary school will have an enrollment of 485 pupils (up from 484 in 2009-10); and 14 pupils will be sent to out-of-district locations (no change from 2009-10).

Freehold Learning Center will have a total of 88 kindergarten pupils this year (up from 89 kindergarten pupils in 2009-10) and Park Avenue Elementary School will have a total of 93 kindergarten pupils this year (up from 90 kindergarten pupils in 2009-10).

Freehold Learning Center first grade totals 89 pupils now, up from 75 firstgraders last year, and the Park Avenue Elementary School first grade totals 90 pupils now, up from 79 first-graders last year, according to the information provided.

The district’s total enrollment for 2009- 10 was 1,362 pupils.

Freehold Borough Superintendent of Schools Elizabeth O’Connell said there are no new programs slated to be introduced during the 2010-11 school year. She said administrators are just “trying to improve and maintain what we have.”

The superintendent said the K-8 district has not had any administration changes, but she said there are some new positions being filled.

“We have hired a Title I coordinator/ literacy coach using our Title I (federal) funds,” O’Connell said. “The coordinator will report to Thomas Tramaglini, our director of curriculum and instruction.

“We also hired a district translator and community liaison who will report to Claudia Pohlke, our supervisor of instruction. The translator/community liaison will assist our teachers in reaching out to our Spanishspeaking parents to enhance parent involvement and improve student achievement,” O’Connell said. “She will also have responsibilities for evening meetings when a translator is needed.”

O’Connell said the district is beginning a strategic planning initiative using the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) model.

“Kathy Winecoff, our NJSBA field representative, will be here on the first day our staff is back in school to conduct an orientation session with the school staff. We will also hold an information session for the community on the evening of Sept. 28,” the superintendent said.

O’Connell said some new teachers will be joining the staff this year to replace teachers who retired, moved away or whose contract was not removed.

Unlike some other Garden State school districts, Freehold Borough will not be charging students a fee to participate in school sports and activities, according to O’Connell.

The superintendent said the Board of Education has established a Community Relations Committee (CRC) that is chaired by board members Michael Lichardi and Kevin Tennant. Board President Annette Jordan is also a member of the panel and Board Secretary/Business Administrator Patrick DeGeorge and O’Connell are the administrative members.

“The CRC was formed in response to community concerns that the board and administration only disseminate information at board meetings,” O’Connell said. “The committee is working to clarify that board meetings have not, in fact, been the only means of relaying information to the public.”

She said a Freehold Borough School District news release is sent to residents with the town’s quarterly water bills.

“Press releases, a citizens academy, key communicators email distribution list, and the district website are also vehicles for communication. The CRC is hoping to expand communications services through the creation of a Facebook page and by videotaping board meetings and broadcasting them on Comcast Channel 97,” the superintendent said.

Contact Clare Marie Celano

at ccelano@gmnews.com.