Parents bring lunch, security concerns

SUSSEX BOROUGH — The Sussex-Wantage school district is planning to have recess before lunch because officials said studies show students eat more fruits and vegetables after recess.

Officials also will install a sink in the lunch room for students to easily and wash hands before eating.

Superintendent Jeanne Apryasz recently told the Board of Education a parent advisory group did not complain about the Maschio Food Service when asked. She said that the group believes the length of lunch time and food were sufficient.

Several parents said that lunches and student security are not satisfactory at the Lawrence School. One parent said 20 minutes for lunch is not enough time.

A concerned couple then spoke about security at the schools. A mother's wallet had been stolen from her car while taking her child into school. She said there were even reports that a bald man had climbed into a car with a 7-year old present while attempting to steal another person's purse.

The parents asked about security cameras in the big parking lot of Lawrence School, because no asked why her husband was going from car to car looking for his wife's wallet. He also asked when the school would release a description of the alleged person.

President Thomas Card guaranteed that the officials would review security at the schools. He then asked if the person crawling in to the car had been reported, and he had.

School Attorney Yaacov Brisman said there was an ongoing investigation, so the district could not give out any information.

Card instructed Business Administrator Christina Riker to find out if there is a camera in the Lawrenece School parking lot.

Another parent, Peter Domanski, said that the Wantage School's food also is horrible; there is not enough time; and the portions are too small. His children come home with headaches because they are so hungry.

The school board then said Maschio was the only company that bid for the Sussex-Wantage School System. The question arose why other companies did not bid. At this time, there was no answer.

Domanski spoke again at the end of the meeting to encourage the board to go outside of the area to possibly Passaic County or Pennsylvania.

“Why only get one bid?” he asked.