Schools

Adult School Could Begin Next Fall

Pieces falling into place for adult education classes likely to be offered at Ridge High School, starting next fall.

Final plans are being made for an adult education school that likely will launch next fall , starting with about 10 classes, school officials said at Monday's meeting.

The school would be run under the auspices of the Adult School of The Chathams, Madison and Florham Park, said school officials and Laura Begg, in Bernards Township schools.

School Business Administrator Nick Markarian said he will meet soon with Ridge Principal Frank Howlett to discuss where the classes might be placed at the high school, possibly in the 600 or 700 wing, and other logistic details, such as how the adult students would be kept in one part of the building. He said the school might want some of those rooms with larger tables for art classes.

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School Board Member William Koch said a pilot program might begin next fall.

"Overall, we are about to endorse the adult school coming into our district," he said while giving a report on the board's facilities committee's discussion on the proposal.

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The facilities committee had interviewed two of the three school districts that house the adult education program, and had found they were pleased with the program, other than some minor issues that were easily resolved, Koch said.

As before, Koch said the adult school would also show that school buildings also can serve the rest of the community.

The school officials said a more formal proposal might come before the Board of Education at its meeting scheduled for next Monday night, May 21.

During the public portion of the meeting, Begg thanked the board for considering and then quickly moving forward with plans for the adult education school.

"I know it's going to be a success," Begg said.

She said a survey is also being planned to see what kind of classes area residents would like to see offered through the program.


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