On Monday, October 16, Superintendent of Edison Township Public Schools Dr. Edward Aldarelli met with writers from The Eagle’s Eye and students taking the school’s new Journalism and Media elective to answer questions about his work and policies in an hour-long press conference. More than sixty students and staff attended the conference in the EHS Media Center and received answers to some of the most pressing student inquiries.
“What’s great about Edison High?” Aldarelli asked to begin the conference. “All of you, and your teachers!”
The Eagle’s Eye took note of Aldarelli’s responses and summarized them on a question-by-question basis. Here are five excerpts from the meeting.
EE & JM: What are some of your ideas and plans for change?
The superintendent stated that he would like to get his ideas from building leaders, supervisors, and students. He would like to gain an understanding of the “offerings and challenges” that students want in their educational experience, such as robust internship programs. His focus remains on “developing the curriculum, and building culture and climate—you don’t learn in spaces that you don’t love!”
EE & JM: How do you plan to address overcrowding?
Aldarelli stated that his policy on overcrowding in hallways and classrooms would be determined through a “demographics study,” or by looking at the anticipated growth in Edison over the course of the next five to ten years. As for smaller overcrowding issues, Aldarelli identified local building leadership as his primary source of information.
EE & JM: How do you plan on making the school a comfortable environment for students? Also, do you plan on adding more air conditioning in the big gym and hallways?
Aldarelli stated that he has heard of the criticism surrounding overcrowding and climate, especially air conditioning during the hotter months of the year. Aldarelli stated that implementation is muddled by the nature of having “dollar amounts attached to everything,” but maintained his goal to “make sure that you are comfortable to make sure that your learning experience is second to none.”
EE & JM: Overcrowding is a major issue on some buses, and so is students taking the bus without a bus pass. What is your take on the possible implementation of a solution?
Aldarelli stated that maintaining the pass system is a matter of financial responsibility for the community, and that any infractions must be discussed with the individual themselves. He also claimed that those students not paying for bussing represent a small minority of the overall population, making the issue one that the district will “field as we come.”
EE & JM: With the rise of ChatGPT and AI, how do you plan to combat their use in student work? Or, would you want to put AI in the classroom?
Aldarelli described how artificial intelligence, while seen as the bane of original thought and learning, can actually be used to produce examples of exemplary work or encourage discussion about particular topics. Aldarelli stated that artificial technology can be used like a summative assessment to motivate students to perform better.
