"Super School" Editorial in Gloucester County Times

[SAdams]

EDITORIALS
Step back a bit on super school
Sunday, January 27, 2008

Gloucester County freeholders have launched another building program, this time a so-called "super school" that Freeholder Director Stephen Sweeney said could allow students to graduate in four years with both a high school diploma and an associate's college degree.

Sweeney estimates construction of the school to cost about $25 million, not counting equipment, curriculum development and other startup costs.

Last week, the freeholders appointed an exploratory committee to design, develop content, determine enrollment and check the proposed Academy School's compatibility with existing county high schools and with Gloucester County College. Freeholder Joseph Brigandi Jr. chairs the committee with Fred Keating, superintendent of both the county institute of technology and the special services district, serving as vice chair.

Whoa.

Job One for this committee ought to be to determine whether there's a need for such a school. It's an Academy School, says Sweeney, offering little more information than word that Keating is "working with" the National Academy Foundation (www.naf.org) to develop the concept. The school would house between 400 and 500 high schoolers from around the county, says Keating, so throw transportation expenses buses, bus drivers, gas, insurance into the operating cost mix, too. It would be a New Jersey first, says Sweeney, who expects to receive about 50 percent state funding.

Whoa.

Job Two ought to be to figure out the lines of regulatory authority here and the chain of command for full accreditation of such a school. Where does the state Department of Education, whose charge stops at 12th grade, fit in? Who confers authority to grant post-secondary "degrees," now that public accredited colleges and universities in New Jersey all operate without a centralized state-level department?

A look at the National Academy Foundation Web site brings up additional concerns. NAF, which says it can help set up local academies, lists curricula that concentrate only on a few areas that look like no more than enhanced vo-tech training. Parents hearing announcements about this "super school" may be expecting a lot more.

The superintendent of the county's largest school district, Cheryl Simone of Washington Township, raises more issues that the public needs to consider before allowing the freeholders to barge headlong into this venture. "Is $25 million for 450 kids a good investment," Simone asks, "when we already have comprehensive education in our public schools?"

Given the so-far inadequate justification for such a school, given the county's current debt load and the freeholders' rather imperfect record at estimating construction costs (the predicted $25 million academy cost is roughly the current overrun on the $80 million original estimate for the county justice center expansion), given the current state of both the local and the national economy, this may not be the time for another county building project, whether "super" or not.

Whoa.

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Interesting read. GCT Editorial brings up many good questions on this "Super School" Senator and Gloucester County Freeloader Director Sweeney is pitching. One of my main concerns is the cost and can this State handle this. IMO just work maybe promised to his Union members? But also a good concern brought up in this Editorial, which I wouldn't have even thought of, is about the degree that will be given in this "Super School". Especially since it mixes High School and College degrees. Will this be a legitimate degree?

[Pineygirl]

Wow, New Jersey must be awash in money! I want some! How can I get some?????

$25 million for a new school. Mmmm, mmmmm, MMMM! Can't wait for my property taxes to up even more to pay for ongoing costs.

Go Sweeney! Go voters! Keep that man in office!!! He has actually FOUND MONEY in a state that's just this side of bankruptcy! You go, Sweenster!

[proudrepub1]

If, and I stress the word if, this school will be as they claim, it will be wonderful. For who, I dont know. I would imagine only the very elite will qualify for the program. The cost of the school is a major problem. The union work that will be generated will be substantial for the sheep that work in those trades. Sweeney is again, manipulating the public to acheive his own personal goals.

I cant wait for this man to run for Gov. He will surely bankrupt us all. Although Hillary may want him for her cabinet.

Seriously, the concept of the school is a good one. It may produce educated youth that can compete with some of the worlds brightest. I applaud that part of the proposal. The problem is two fold. One, where will they get educators that can teach these children. Secondly, who will be able to participate in the program. Will it be for Sweeney's biggest contributors, or the union members families only?

[Pineygirl]

I would agree, except as the article states, the curriculum would be more vo-tech than academic.

If it emphasized a good grounding in rigorous academic thinking, a solid liberal arts education, I would agree that it could be a very good thing.

But even so, we just don't have the money right now. That should've stopped Sweeney in his tracks before even considering it. But you're correct, it means more jobs for his union buds, who will keep voting him into whatever office he wants.

Somebody has to rise up and stop this machine!!! Maybe this new Republican Party person (forget the name, Alexi something) can do it? I sure hope so. We need a two-party system in Gloucester County.

[proudrepub1]

Sorry to say, a two party system in this county will never happen. Too many sheep and not enough leaders.

I thought that Chuck Mancini could win in Deptford, but no such luck. He is a good man with a vision and a plan. Yet the "D's" in town are too committed to the same old lies and worthless people who keep raising taxes and providing mediocre educations for our kids.

I keep trying to educate people about the benefits of opposing views on the board. You need people who will disagree, provide legitmate arguments for, or against, the proposals. Not the head nodding wannabees. This entire county is blind to the corruption and nepetism that is running this place to the ground. Sooner than later, I will be out of here and cannot wait!

[SAdams]

It sounds like Gloucester County went the same way as Camden County. The Republicans here think you have to "work" with the Dem. They have to bow to the Dems under an artificial banner called the "Republican Party". It may not be evident at the federal level, but they are watching it. It is very notable at the State, County and Local level, and they are trying to hide it. IMO it looks as though there has been "back door" deals agreed upon that the Republican ideas will control the Federal level and the Democratic will control this State, County and Local levels. It's a trade off. Happened right here in Gloucester Twp and Camden County. And it's evident in New Jersey.

[oldhardhead]

Sweeney estimates construction of the school to cost about $25 million, not counting equipment, curriculum development and other startup costs.

I guess we are already paying the "exploratory committee".

The school would house between 400 and 500 high schoolers from around the county, says Keating, so throw transportation expenses buses, bus drivers, gas, insurance into the operating cost mix, too. It would be a New Jersey first, says Sweeney, who expects to receive about 50 percent state funding.

Plus salaries and benefits for members of the NJEA...

Where does Mr. Sweeney think the "state funding" will come from? Toll booths on route 55?

Where will the county money come from - "property tax reform"???

Friends, I understand the head-banging-against-the-wall avatar...

This is so over-the-top...

(Take a deep breath, in with the good air, out with the bad air...)

Alright.

It could be a very good idea for exceptional students. We have "A" and "Honors" classes now for high-perfoming high school students. We have GCIT. Do we really need to bus 400-500 students to a new building with additional overhead (heat, lights, staff, etc., etc) when we can't afford the current school system?

I respectfully disagree with the Honorable Mr. Sweeney, it's not "a New Jersey first", we have had stoopid ideas before.

Are they implementing campaign promises called "Property Tax Reform" and "Making New Jersey Affordable"?

[nitwit]

Originally Posted by Pineygirl

I would agree, except as the article states, the curriculum would be more vo-tech than academic.

If it emphasized a good grounding in rigorous academic thinking, a solid liberal arts education, I would agree that it could be a very good thing.

But even so, we just don't have the money right now. That should've stopped Sweeney in his tracks before even considering it. But you're correct, it means more jobs for his union buds, who will keep voting him into whatever office he wants.

Somebody has to rise up and stop this machine!!! Maybe this new Republican Party person (forget the name, Alexi something) can do it? I sure hope so. We need a two-party system in Gloucester County.

Weeneys idea of an associates degree is in car repair. He has no idea of the concept of College or higher learning. He has spent to many weekends in a walmart superstore. That where he got the idea. Anyone see the movie Idiocracy? Well it certainly has hit Gloucester County. I live in the Same town as Weeney and company but I was born there a long time ago. For years it looked as though the town was growing up but now I see it turning back but not for the good. It wust be the water.

[goodnews]

As a tried and true defender of Sweeney..and his git-r-done attitude...I have to say truthfully, this looks like he is letting his desire for big constuction jobs get the better of him...

[Pineygirl]

THERE you are! I was wondering if you got banned, too ;-)