Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jun 2014
Source: Record, The (Hackensack, NJ)
Copyright: 2014 North Jersey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.northjersey.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/44
Author: Chris Harris

GLEN ROCK STUDENTS, PARENTS URGE RENEWED FUNDING FOR ANTI-DRUG CLUB

GLEN ROCK - Dozens of students and parents urged the school board to 
renew funding for a high school peer-leadership club committed to 
drug, tobacco and alcohol resistance.

The teens were notified late last week that financing for the Lindsey 
Meyer Teen Institute of Glen Rock had been snipped - ending the 
group's trip to a conference this summer.

The club, formed in 1999, cost the district $1,650 this past school 
year, according to school officials.

Waning interest in the group prompted the funding cut, school 
officials told the students last week. In addition, the group's 
teacher adviser, Jon Chia, has left the school district; no 
volunteers have come forward to replace him.

But the students - both alumni and current Glen Rock High School 
pupils - who spoke at Monday night's board meeting questioned the 
decision, especially in light of the recent arrests of two borough 
residents for alleged heroin sales.

In a letter to the board, some of the students wondered how the club 
could be dissolved mere weeks after a raid halted classes and the 
school was locked down.

Drug-sniffing dogs were sent in to comb the entire school as part of 
a raid carried out by Bergen County Sheriff's Department officers on 
June 6, police officials have confirmed.

"Clearly, there is a growing drug problem in this area," said alumnus 
Taylor Robbins, citing recent media coverage of heroin's 
proliferation throughout North Jersey. "This group is a solution to this."

Junior Dylan Kennedy hailed the club for its ability to instill a 
sense of self-esteem in its members.

"This group teaches leadership skills and motivation, and teaches 
students to become leaders and help change their community for the 
better," Kennedy said, adding that the student group also works to 
eradicate bullying.

According to seniors Lindsay and Lauren Miller, who are twins, the 
club has roughly 15 members and sponsors events like movie nights 
throughout the school year, offering teens drug-free and alcohol-free fun.

Clubs at the school need 10 members to receive school funding.

In addition, the sisters told the board that two teachers have since 
stepped up to serve as the club's advisers next year.

The school board took no action Monday night to restore the club's funding.

Board President Sheldon Hirschberg encouraged the students to 
continue discussions about the club's funding with school 
administrators this summer, adding that the matter would likely be 
discussed at a future board meeting.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom