Hammonton selects its 2014-15 Choice students
Wednesday, January 1, 2014 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
CHOICE, from Page 1
according to Blachford.
“the NJ Choice program
started as a five-year pilot program in 1999. there was one
school per county. i was superintendent in Mine Hill – the Choice
School for Morris County. folsom
was the one for atlantic. in 2010,
[Governor Chris] Christie funded
Choice into law and there were no
limits on the number of schools or
students. Students went from 946
to 4,682. the number of districts
went from 15 to 136 districts. Of
even more interest, the cost went
from $9,846,000 to $49,064,570.
When i saw that, i knew the state
could not write blank checks,”
Blachford said.
On December 16, the district
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picked the new Choice students
using a lottery method.
“to make sure we follow the
Choice guidelines, we borrow the
Hammonton Lions Club equipment. the same things they use
for their Great Cash Give away.
there are 300 ping-pong balls and
a big barrel. every Choice applicant gets a ping-pong ball with a
number; we put them in – grade
by grade. We turn the barrel several times and select one ball at a
time. the first person selected is
number one on the list – and so on
throughout the whole grade. this
year [Hammonton assistant Superintendent robin] Chieco drew
the ping-pong balls because she
did not have any knowledge of
who applied or who got what
numbers,” Blachford said.
Blachford went on to describe
the selection process.
“We give siblings preference.
However, they do not always get
Damage at St. Joe Wood St. bldg.
by Gabe Donio
Gazette Staff Writer
HaMMONtON – Vandals did damage to the
newly-constructed building at the St. Joseph athletic
Complex on Wood Street, Hammonton Police Captain Nick Salvatore said.
the vandalism was reported to police at 10:53 a.m.
on December 12, Salvatore said.
“they damaged the plumbing and some of the fix-
by Gabe Donio
Gazette Staff Writer
HaMMONtON—Police are
investigating a burglary attempt
that occurred on the 1000 block of
DiMeglio Septic,
NJSL6077 • NJ HIC License #13VH01292800
Est. 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio
Inc.
1 (800) 4 #r