Adult School Discussion Moves Ahead

Following up on a Bernards school officials have been in discussions with The Adult School Of the Chathams, Madison and Florham Park about the possibility of offering some classes, most likely at , by next fall.

A subcommittee of the township met with representatives of the adult education school to discuss specifics and goals, Board Member William Koch reported at Monday's Board of Education meeting.

The non-profit organization offers a "wealth of programs," and actually had been considering Bernards Township as a possible location for branching out with additional classes, Koch said.

"I think overall the [facilities] committee was inclined to look into the program," Koch said. "We have the facilities. We also have an opportunity to provide something back to the community."

Supposedly, about 900 people from the Bernards Township and Bernardsville area travel to adult school classes housed in school buildings in other communities, Koch said.

Koch said the discussion included consideration of a fee, but he added he feels that a fee should not be a "stumbling block" in setting up a program that he said would provide an opportunity for the community.

After Monday's meeting, School Administrator Nick Markarian said most likely launch of an adult school in the township would be the offering of a few classes at Ridge High School next fall. Those programs could be placed in a classrooms in the evening, and could be planned so as not to interfere with other activities at the school, or use much electricity or other resources, he suggested.

Koch said most adult school classes supposedly have between six to eight students. He said the board's subcommittee was told that the adult school provides supervisors and security for its program.

Board Member Elaine Kusel added that the adult school representatives said that some local high school students also may take some classes, depending on the subject.

Class instructors, who are not certified teachers, present information on a wide variety of subjects, from knitting to languages and more, Kusel said.

Board member Susan McGowan said her biggest concern would be the safety and security of the schools since unauthorized people would be entering the buildings.

Kusel said the adult schools' representatives said their organization had been in business for many decades, and there had not problems in other school districts. But she said township board members might want to check that information with school officials such as superintendents in other towns.

Board President Susan Carlsson asked why the school had not first approached Bernards Township befor the issue was raised by resident Laura Begg at the March 12 meeting.

Kusel said the adult school had still be discussing its plans when Begg happened to approach the school to look into the interest in starting classes in Bernards.