The Millburn Board of Education wants a review of the process for how student athletes are nominated for awards.

The school board approved Monday night a motion to send the matter to the Program Committee for review. The matter was brought forward by board member Jeff Waters in a discussion about the Wendy's High School Heisman.

Runner Brian Robinson and basketball player Shelby Weiss were the Millburn High School winners, and Robinson was a New Jersey finalist for the award.

According to the Wendy's High School Heisman Web site, "Each fall, the WHSH recognizes the nation’s most esteemed high school senior men and women for excellence in academics, athletics, and community/school leadership."

Athletes apply for the award online by Oct. 1, and school administrators review and confirm applications before Oct. 6. The winners were posted on Oct. 22. Waters said the board has no involvement in the process.

"Heretofore, the Board has been very hands off with regard to things like athletics awards," he said. "But with all the concerns swirling around about citizenship and responsible behavior among our students it seems an appropriate time to take a much closer look at athletic awards. And perhaps the High School Heisman is a good jumping off point for such a review."

Some of the questions that should be answered is how is it determined who is nominated, what is the academic criteria, the athletic standard and how is citizenship vetted.

"I think these are valid and important questions," he said. "Just the sorts of questions the board has not only the right, but the obligation, to pursue."

During the school board meeting when parents came to express concerns about the hazing issues from the first day of school, they made it clear citizenship is important, Waters said. "High academic achievement is not enough," he said.

The board needs to be responsive to parents and their concerns, he said. The Program Committee needs to ensure there is no nepotism or favoritism involved in how athletes are nominated for awards.