By Steven A. Knowlton and Barbara A. Preston | Posted September 19, 2024
Montgomery Township residents who were accustomed to having public access to the high school tennis courts were greeted with a lock-and-chain this summer with no explanation — just a sign advising them to use the tennis courts elsewhere.
Tennis players complained at school board meetings, and wrote emails to both school and Montgomery Township officials. In their opinion, they said they pay high taxes to the school district. Their tax dollars are why the courts exist, and are maintained. Therefore, they said they could not understand why they would not be allowed to use the facilities when the students do not need them.
The Montgomery High School tennis courts were on lockdown all summer, and are still closed to community members. A sign posted on the courts read: "THESE COURTS ARE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC!!! Please use the courts at the Upper Middle School [access from the Lower Middle School] or at Woods Edge Park (66 Harvard Circle.)"
Montgomery Mayor Neena Singh asked John Groeger, director of Parks & Recreation, to address the tennis court issue an August committee meeting.
“As you know, the high school courts have been locked,” Groeger said. “We’ve had conversations with the school, trying to figure out what steps to take. We sent an email to the superintendent. We are waiting to hear back from the school. We are hoping to develop some kind of usage agreement for the [high school] tennis courts."
At the September 5 meeting of the Montgomery Township Committee, Township Administrator Lori Savron shared that, earlier this year, the tennis courts were damaged by unknown parties, and the damage forced the MHS tennis team to rearrange a tournament it had planned to host. In order to forestall other inconveniences to the team, school officials locked the courts.
The Montgomery News asked school officials why the high school courts were closed to the public.
"Nets were ripped, a pole was broken with a blunt object, and the middle of a net that connects to the ground was ripped off," according to Jack Trent, the Montgomery School District Business Administrator /Board Secretary. "It is not known who did the damage."
Capt Silvo Bet, director of the Montgomery Township Police Department, told The Montgomery News that a police report was not filed.
As of September 19, township and school officials were in talks to develop a new shared-service agreement. The school's attorney is drafting the agreement, Trent said. An agreement from 2017 exists, but there will be changes in the new agreement.
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In response to residents’ requests for access, township Parks and Recreation director John Groeger and Montgomery Township School District superintendent Mary McLoughlin have met to work out a shared use agreement, which is still in preparation.
Steve Hun of Belle Mead spoke at an August school board meeting. He said, “In my mind, the high school courts have always been available for public access during after school hours. But, since July 8, the courts are locked. I was told the school district does not have a joint-use agreement with the township for its courts. So, the high school can deny public access any time, and indefinitely.
Between the middle school and the high school, Montgomery schools have 16 tennis courts. (Two were recently divided into Pickleball courts).
“I understand the courts need maintenance from time-to-time, and that school activities take priority,” he said. “But, when the courts are empty, why can’t we use them?”
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Another Belle Mead resident cited Mayor Neena Singh’s Wellness campaign as listed on the Montgomery Township website.
“How can the township make us healthier?” he asked the school board. “My thinking is, go out and play tennis at the six beautiful courts located at Montgomery High School, which are on lockdown for no reason.”
