A year after the Hudson County Schools of Technology board voted to do away with sports at the two countywide public high schools, Hudson County Freeholders are still trying to find a way to restore some programs.
During a heated exchange between Freeholder Chairman Bill O’Dea and Schools Superintendent Frank Gargiulo at a freeholder meeting last month, O’Dea warned county funding for the new campus proposed in Secaucus could be in jeopardy if some sports are not restored at the schools.
Gargiulo said that he agreed with O’Dea that some sports should be restored, but that his board had made it clear that it did not want sports programs, and his duty is to represent the board.
“I don’t take well to threats,” Gargiulo said. “What we need is a dialogue.”
O’Dea and Dublin argued that the lack of involvement in sports could keep some kids from getting into colleges.
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The county schools are open to applicants from any town in Hudson County. These students can attend either High Tech High School in North Bergen or County Prep in Jersey City instead of their own local high school.
In June, prior to the passing of the county budget, O’Dea and fellow Jersey City Freeholder Jeff Dublin pressed Gargiulo to consider keeping those sports that did not directly compete with sports that are currently offered at the high schools, which resulted in a heated exchange.
“I agree with you,” Gargiulo said. “But my board says they don’t want sports and I have to do what they say.”
Not a dead issue
Even though the county budget was passed two weeks ago, O’Dea said he is still hoping to restore four sports that include tennis, track & field, volleyball, and bowling.
Dublin is hoping they can restore some sports for when the schools reopen in the fall.
“It is not unreasonable to get something back,” Dublin said.
Although O’Dea claimed he might be able to muster votes on the freeholder board to delay or not-fund the new $199 million new campus proposed for the Laurel Hill section of Secaucus, Freeholder Thomas Liggio said O’Dea does not speak for everyone on the board and would not vote to derail the new project.
The campus would combine the existing two campuses.
O’Dea said he is very concerned about students at the county school being left out of sports. While some municipal officials might believe that students can still play sports at the local schools, O’Dea said they are under a significant extra burden. Students at the county schools would have to get transportation to the local high school to participate in events, something that might be difficult with the students attending the county school in North Bergen or Jersey City, but even more difficult when the operations move to Secaucus where transportation options are more limited.
There is no target date for the new campus opening in Secaucus, as funding has yet to be received.
“What happens when a student wants to enter a team at Bayonne High or Snyder?” O’Dea said. “They will have to get there from Secaucus.”
Also, there is a disadvantage to county school kids who will compete for slots with kids who already attend those high schools. While the superstars might get a chance to play, those who have less talent may be left out.
O’Dea and Dublin argued that the lack of involvement in sports could keep some kids from getting into colleges they wish to attend, or hamper their ability to receive sports scholarships.
“How do students feel if we build a school in Secaucus right next to the sports fields in Laurel Hill Park and [those students] can’t play in any sports?” O’Dea asked.
Gargiulo said while he agrees that the school should have sports, the argument has to be made to the HCST board, which believes the schools aren’t being hurt by the lack of sports programs.
He said this year the schools received 3,700 applications to fill 350 educational slots.
“This means kids will come whether we have sports or not,” he said.
Dublin said he believes that the county executive will likely have to be part of this dialogue and that perhaps communication with the mayors of each of the 12 municipalities could help modify the board’s position to accept some sports in the fall.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.