Greetings,

Yes, we struggle with events like this and others throughout the year, including routine things like football games, when it comes to underage drinking. We have some safeguards in place, and are trying new things on a regular basis and are in constant contact with parents and community groups who share our concern, but it's a bit of a moving target. This is not a Millburn-specific problem, as we all know, but that doesn't mean we can or should stop trying to do our best to curtail the drinking as much as possible. I wouldn't say the drinking is "condoned" (at least it's not by school officials and most parents). But I will admit it's a constant struggle that is worth the fight, given the possibly tragic consequences of underage drinking.

Dr. Crisfield-
In comments made to the aricle MHS Graduation moved indoors:
"exactly! i am betting that if they asked the graduates (i did ask mine) they would agree that there were too many bbq's and breakfasts attached to things. Additionally, the 4 hour cruise around Manhattan was reduced to a 2 hour cruise because one graduate apparently drank too much and parents were called to come and get her. The ENTIRE party was held up waiting for them to get to Hoboken and take him/her home. Spend all that $$ on a cruise and get half the time paid for...."

I don't have children in the high school this year to verify this information, but am concerned about the students having such a senior celebration. Although I'm sure this is a PTO-sponsored event and not a school event, shouldn't the school discourage such events if drinking is being condoned?

Thank you. I will be sure to look for the FAQ tomorrow and whether we are currently considered mandatory or courtesy. I'm assuming something such as Google or Yahoo maps is used to narrow down to those students who are within a certain parameter and then a walking wheel is used? I know this is very specific, but I'm in the middle of a street where to one side students are 1.9 and the other side the map programs go a shorter, different route making them 1.9 while I'm at 2.05. A complicated scenario but probably not unique. I'm also reluctant to even bring it up since we could be mandated and I don't even know it! The difference of 0.1 miles will result in nearly $1200 for us so we're a little worried. Thanks for your patience!

We are going to post as soon as tomorrow the FAQ document that will answer questions like these (and others). As a preview, with regard to the "which door" question, while NJ Code calls for districts to use "the nearest door" at the school, we take a more realistic approach and use "the nearest door that is used by students to enter the building in the morning."

Regarding the private school breakout, of the 180 private school students currently bused due to state mandated distance limits, ROUGHLY 10 go to Far Brook, 5 to Pingry-SH, 55 to Newark Academy, 55 to Oak Knoll/Kent Place and 55 to Pingry--Mart. The 140 receiving aide in lieu (and who fall beyond the state's mandated minimum distance and who are therefore entitled to transportation) go to a wide variety of other schools within the state's 20 mile maximum limit. Of the 50 students currently bused due to Millburn's courtesy busing program, ROUGHLY 25 attend Far Brook and 25 attend Pingry-SH. The 10 that receive aide in lieu payments attend a variety of schools (mostly St. Rose).

Hope that clarifies things rather than muddying the waters!

P.S. We would consider 2.05 miles to be further away than the Code's "two miles" reference, so it is indeed "beyond" for these purposes.

Please also provide a similar breakdown of the actual private schools the districut provides busing to (as was done for the elementary schools) on the Millburn Transportation Numbers" document. That would also be apppreciated.