Survey: What Does Public Want at Adult Education School?

This coming fall, residents of Bernards Township and the surrounding Somerset Hills towns will have the opportunity to participate in a pilot program for adult continuing education offered by the Adult School of the Chathams, Madison and Florham Park. A survey is being conducted to ask the public what courses might be offered.

The pilot program was by the in Bernards Township, and is expected to utilize classroom space at in Basking Ridge.

Up to 10 classes will be offered initially, including a variety of offerings typically found in adult education programs, according to the proposal.

The classes would be open for public registration, and are expected to serve residents from Bernards Township, Bernardsville, Bedminster and throughout the Somerset Hills, said Bernards township resident, Laura Begg, who initiated the idea of bringing of the adult school to Basking Ridge. Begg said residents of those other towns are welcome to fill out the survey.

On Friday, she said more than 300 respondents already had filled out the survey.

Begg has been working as the liaison between Bernards Township and the Adult School, which had been looking to expand its reach, since sharing the idea with the Board of Education

"There are many people in Bernards Township who would love to upgrade their skills and take a class of interest to them in close proximity to their home," Begg said in a preface to the survey. "Expansion of the Adult School into our area will give our residents that opportunity. We are very fortunate that the Board of Education and school administrators chose to support this program for the benefit of the greater community," she said.

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 in May said he would 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. He said 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.

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

Click here for survey on interest in adult school courses

Residents of Bernards Township and the surrounding area are asked to take a short survey found at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/bernards  in order for the Adult School to assess level of interest in courses for the fall pilot at Ridge High School, Begg said.

Hard copies of the survey will be available at the local library, the , the and at the senior housing community centers within the township. Persons interested in teaching a class will also have the opportunity to submit their credentials to the Adult School, with an address listed on the survey.

For questions regarding the pilot, or in general, please contact Charlene Peterson, director, Adult School of Chatham, Madison and Florham Park at (973) 443-9222 or cpeterson@theadultschool.org.