Williamstown High School football team honored at BOE meeting
The Williamstown High School football team was honored at the latest board of education meeting for its outstanding performance this past season.
This season, which included an impressive Group V Sectional Championship, fell just short of perfection with a loss to Sayreville at MetLife Stadium in December.
“It really galvanized the entire school district and community with each win and even the loss in the end,” Superintendent Richard Perry said.
While the overarching theme of the night was gratitude and bliss while reminiscing on the season, head coach Frank Fucetola wanted to make one thing clear.
“We made a slogan right now. We’re going back to make it right,” he said. “We’re excited about next year.”
Captains Wade Inge, Samuel Ray, Jonathan Collins, Aaron Lewis Jr. and Brandon Perkins spoke to the board and community about their season as well.
“We just want to say from the whole program we appreciate all the love and support we got all season,” Inge said. “It was a memorable season, we won a championship, but overall like [coach] Fuce said it’s a family atmosphere that makes things special from the whole town to the high school to the board.”
Ray echoed Inge’s sentiments and expanded on the hometown aspect.
“No matter where you go off to college or even play in the pro league, you’ll never forget home,” he said. “You’ll never forget where you won a championship — your first championship — you’ll never forget it.”
Collins took a different approach than the two captains before him, thanking the board for allowing the team to show its creative side.
“I would like to thank the board on behalf of the football team, letting us rock out this year with what we wanted to wear,” he said. “Because of that, it’s a memory that will be embedded in ourselves forever.”
When Lewis took the microphone he had similar feelings as Ray and Inge, crediting the family atmosphere.
“I know on and off the field they have my back no matter what, that’s why I love them, that’s why we went far.” he said.
Perkins, who described himself as “not much of a talker,” spoke last.
“I want to give a special thanks to the fans of Williamstown,” he said. “If it wasn’t for y’all supporting us through every game we wouldn’t be able to do what we did.”
In other news:
- Perry gave an update on the budget. He said through work with the business administrator, Lisa Schulz, they cut the previous $1.8 million deficit in half to $900,000. Some of the cost-saving measures include their membership in the joint insurance fund, being a part of an energy consortium, refinancing debt services and transportation joint ventures, according to Perry.
“Other possible savings we’re looking into are various maintenances agreements, creating our international student tuition program and looking at grant-driven partnerships and alliances with the municipality,” he said.
- The board of education voted to supply the football team with $8,500 to purchase jackets for the championship football team.
- The board appointed Capehart Scatchard as the school board attorney. However, the board voted to keep Trimble and Armano to represent the BOE and district on outstanding special education cases.
- In an effort to cut down on electricity costs, the board of education, along with the township council and MUA, will put out a request for information to solar companies. No action is planned to be taken. They are trying to gather information.
- The next board meeting is scheduled for March 14 at 7 p.m. at Williamstown High School. This meeting is open to the public.
