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PROSPECT PARK John Vander Molen, an enduring figure in public service who for years pressed state legislators for more funding for Manchester Regional High School, died unexpectedly this week.
Vander Molen s impressive 44 years as a postal worker in Passaic was matched only by his unbroken streak as a school board trustee since the mid-1970s.
But he was not in it for accolades or winning records. He just wanted to do right by the kids, said Daniel Vander Molen, his youngest son. He was always dedicated to education, said Vander Molen, of Wyckoff, a high school social studies teacher.
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HALEDON A $24.7 million proposed budget for Manchester Regional High School would cover the price of a turf field, but residents from one sending town want money allocated for that project to defray the tax levy instead.
The project s supporters, including the head football coach and school board president, said it would raise the profile of Manchester Regional, while residents of Prospect Park argue that its benefits are being overhyped.
The high school on Church Street has seen a marked decline in enrollment over the past several years because freshmen are opting to attend Passaic County Technical Institute in Wayne.
Manchester Regional has to pay for their tuition, and school officials expect to shell out $4.1 million for students to go to PCTI next year. That is why they are trying to be more competitive, they said.