Wendy's Joins Fight to Keep School Open
Allaire Road restaurant changes sign in support of West Belmar School
Members of a group opposed to the Board of Education’s proposal to close West Belmar School scored their most visible win Saturday when a fast-food restaurant near Route 35 lent its support.
The outside menu board at the Wendy’s restaurant at 1407 Allaire Road, near Route 35 – which normally hawks the chain’s specials – was changed to read: “Save West Belmar School.’’
Melanie Giblin, an organizer of the group “Save Wall Township Schools,’’ said a sympathetic manager there received permission from the restaurant’s owner to change the sign.
The manager, Lauren Liard, 26, said a couple of parents came this past week and asked if the restaurant could help them out.
"We're part of the community,'' said Liard, of Eatontown. "Schools are overcrowded enough.''
Liard, a former Wall resident who attended Central School, said the sign would likely stay up for at least a week.
“We’re hoping that more people become aware, because this is going to affect everyone,’’ said Mimi Kennedy, of Glenn Street in the West Belmar section, who brought her family to eat at Wendy’s Saturday. “This is David and Goliath.’’
Kennedy, who has two children in West Belmar School, said many parents concerned about the possible school closure are planning to come to the restaurant today.
“We want to support the places that support us,’’ Kennedy said. “There are lots of us coming today.’’
Wendy’s is the latest in a string of businesses that have thrown their support for the opposition group. Among them, Luke’s Pizzeria on New Bedford Road across from the high school, and the iconic Circus Drive-in on Route 35, each have allowed the group to put up signs on their properties.
"It's hard to put into words the feelings I have when I hear my kids in the back seat, counting the signs they see all over town,'' Giblin said. "We are so appreciative of the support of friends, families, neighbors, fellow parents and local businesses. It's inspiring to know that Wall is a strong community that is willing to go above and beyond."
The Board of Education has examined the closure of West Belmar Elementary School – the town’s oldest school, which also has the lowest census – finding that shuttering it would save the district $1 million a year, mainly in staff reductions and building maintenance costs.
The closure, if it happened, also would not dramatically affect the districts remaining three elementary schools, according to the results of the board’s internal study.
The board also last month enlisted T & M Associates of Middletown to conduct a more thorough study, which is currently ongoing. The study is expected to take at least until the end of the month, board members have said.
Save the Wall Schools’ members, however, have said proposed savings from the closure could be realized through less drastic means.
Jeffrey Kniffin
6:14 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011
Agreed Mimi, how can anyone, even a BOE member say that it is definitely closing...unless they have already made up their mind like they have all told us they haven't and they are just placating us by doing the study. Who are your sources Ms. Dweck?
Kathy Dweck
6:34 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011
While I won't divuldge my source, it's just what 'I heard' from what I felt was a reliable source. We shall see. Not trying to stir the pot.
Jeffrey Kniffin
6:46 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011
Well Mrs. Dweck, if sources are not to be divuldged, I wouldn't consider them too reliable unless they are willing to go on record for it. If they are BOE members making decisions like that without all the facts in, then shame on them. Please don't encourage the spread of rumors, as there alot of people throughout the ENTIRE town that are concerned about this. If this were Central or Old Mill or Allenwood school, I would be fighting just as hard for this but I would be backed and supported by a different group of parents. I would also hope that you would be concerned about this as well because it will affect you when you go to sell your house, as people are seeing a pattern that Wall can't pass a budget and now we are shuttering schools. Who is going to buy your house when it is time to sell? A retired couple or a family with 3 or 4 children? Think about it...
mimi kennedy
6:49 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011
You must know someone on the board? It would be quite unethical for them to be sharing the verdict so prematurely.
Keith Brown
7:13 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011
Thanks to Mr. Kniffin for pointing out the error in the address of the Wendy's. The story is now fixed.
Thanks again,
Keith.
Kathy Dweck
9:53 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011
Mimi & Jeff,
I tried to delete my original post. I cannot do so from my end, so I wrote to Keith to have him do it from his end.
I did not hear from anyone official, I just said I'd heard. I am not starting a rumor.
It was from a parent of a teacher in the school system.
I am not for closing the school. I have said in the past though that I respect our Board of Ed. My children are nearly through with school, but I've fought the good fight years ago helping to pass the original referendum. I have attended many a meeting and have butted heads with their decisions. Of late, Block Scheduling. Last year it was doing away with General Education in the high school and putting those students in college prep.
Many of the Board are still serving as they were back then when my children were in elementary school. This is not a paid position, that I know of. They all have or had children in the school system. I believe, that they believe in what they are doing.
Hank Chinaski
12:47 am on Sunday, February 6, 2011
I'm sure your intention was not borne of ill will, Kathy. But you must realize by now that this is more than just an internet drama for hundreds of families in Wall who are emotionally vested in where their children attend school in the coming years. As you flippantly stated in response to another article, you are just glad that your kids are almost out of the system. This is the kind of apathetic attitude that drags public education through the mud. "My kids are done, what do I have to worry about?" How the education of ALL of our children has become not just unseemly, but perceptually burdensome, is unconscionable in an allegedly evolved society. And your casual statement that you "heard" that it was definitely closing was at best insensitive, and at worst hurtful, to the residents that actively care about the future of the education system in Wall Township.
Kathy Dweck
6:26 am on Sunday, February 6, 2011
I hate you reading into my thoughts, my tone just as Mimi did suggesting I'd heard from a board member. I am not flippant that my kids are through and I don't have to care anymore. What I am is emotionally DONE! I have been for a long time. I fought the good fight in my time as you are doing now.
From my experiences, often times by the time the public becomes aware of the Boards intentions, we can have all of the opinions that we want but it won't sway the course. This happened most recently with the Block Scheduling and the matter of no more offering of general ed. This is why I am glad my kids will be through. One of them still has two more years.
'I heard.' This is a forum. I have that right. Mimi & Jeff made much more out of it, than my originally statement.
I reiterate. Though a lot of times I am in disagreement with the Board, and some would feel otherwise, I believe they are doing all they can on our behalf. A recent editorial in the Coast Star suggest that this decision is almost malicious in the sense that the Board is punishing those who continue to vote no for the budget.
We still have what is considered the best reputation as far as the area school systems go. My neighbor, renting for the past three years, chose Wall coming from a few states away. Every school system is having difficult times. THESE are difficult times.
mimi kennedy
8:35 am on Sunday, February 6, 2011
I was not reading into your 'thoughts or tone'. I just figured that since you would make such a bold statement about already knowing the final decision...you must have had inside information to do so. Why else would you go public with that kind of information? Also, of course you are entitled to opinion...this is America...but saying you 'heard its definately closing'...is not an opinion.
Kathy Dweck
10:42 am on Sunday, February 6, 2011
I'm done here. It was not a 'bold statement.' I saw the article, I commented....