Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 19 February '86 * *" ' * ' * 37 4

The Vo-Tech Struggle

(From page 1) because of things going in the academic world." The major "thing," to which Kistler referred is the High School Proficiency Test iHSPT), the new state standard for high school graduation effective with the class of 1989. Ninth-graders will take the test this spring Kistler said as high as 40 percent could fail, and called the HSPTs "a two-edge sword." BASED ON SOME preliminary testing, the state has estimated that 26 percent of ninth-graders will fail the reading. 23 percent will fail the writing, and 39 percent will fail the mathematics in their first attempt. Then the remediation will begin. Kistler "s first concern is that students. , worried about passing the HSPTs. will stay in their home schools full time to sharpen the basic skills of reading, writing and mathematics. But the other possibility is that home schools will lack staff and space to meet their responsibility to offer remedial programs to students who fail the HSPTs. Kistler hopes the schools will "opt to have us provide the remediation." But he conceded that his "offer" to local high schools to do that has met with • " reluctance on the part of the home school "I think some principals may feel. 'It's my report card and I'm going to have to

get them up to the point where they can pass it.' " he said. KISTLER'S HOLE card is the adult high school where those who cannot pass the HSPTs can graduate without having to. But that, may change. Kistler cautioned. Kistler said his '86-87 budget's $351,635 increase reflects "rising costs" plus the need to "keep ongoing programs current and up-to-date. "It's costing more money to do the same things." said Kistler. pointing especially to staff salaries. "The teacher is the bulk of the cost < 70 percent) and a teacher costs the same whether you have 5 or 15 in the class." He gave the example of a "dental office assistant" course that "has been teetering on not enough enrollment for the last two years." He said the goal is 10 students, which this class has failed to enroll "If it's the r"Tie next spring." he said, "we could eliminate it as not cost effective." KISTLER POINTED OUT that the district currently is negotiating with the staff and "having to deal with the ripple ef feet" of new state legislation mandating an $18,500 starting salary. As a result, he said, the district has 16 teachers at that pay. and those with more experience demanding sizable pay hikes The new budget allocates $1,039,619 for teacher salaries, a $78,234 or eight percent

increase over the current year. It also pro- « vides for two new teachers. ; Other new personnel include a guidance i counselor or for "special needs students" and "a person to deal with discipline and i attendance." Each is in the $25,000 salary | range. Kistler said. The district has two guidance counselors now. but none solely for special education I students, who make up 41 percent of its i enrollment. Discipline and attendance now are | handled by principals at the career center and vo-tech center. The new person would « be assigned to the career center with < grades 7-10. f. The district also will hire a secretary for i the new adult high school. I OTHER BUDGET increases include: • Reference books and audio visual up i v — — ■r. F MEDICAL TRAINEES — Linda Williams, t 16. takes the blood pressure of Debbie Pet- c tit. 19. at the Health Fair last week at the p County Vocational School in Crest Haven. Linda is the daughter of Mary and Bill o Baglivo. Debbie is the daughter of Mr. and J Mrs. Joseph Pettit. both of Court House. f Both girls attend Middle Township High n School. n

$18,000 to $21,000. "The principals gave me list of $30,000 more than that." commented Kistler. • Printing and publicity up about $12,000. much of it for advertising "to attract more people." Kistler said. • $12,500 for a second custodian • $8,000 for a new employe health a $100 reimbursable that can be used for dental, eye glasses, prescription • $25,000 addition for unemployment, property and employe insurance "Changes in technology and skills employers require mandate program up dating." Kistler wrote the freeholders "In some cases this means curriculum modifications as well as modernization of facilities and equipment." He said a $50,000 capital improvement item, the same amount as last year, will include purchase of " 'computerized wheel balancing and front -end alignment equipment in automotive, a downdrafl spray booth in auto body, and a dust collector system in carpentry " The school district's anticipated receipts include the $2.2 million from the county. $542,967 from the state, $396,600 from the federal, and $80,000 in miscellaneous The latter includes enrollment and day care fees and earned interest. The vo-tech district's "mission" has been stated as "to provide career explora tion and occupational training that lead to job entry and career advancement for county citizen^ as well as supply compe tent employes for county businesses." Kistler told this newspaper the district has a problem getting "an accurate assessment of manpower projections, howmany plumbers, electricians, etc. we need. "We don't have the resources <to do that)." he said. Despite the major county government share of the budget, the five-member votech board of education includes four appointees from the local Superior Court plus** the county superintendent of schools. The county has unsuccessfully questioned that procedure. But the freeholders do maintain control the vo-tech budget Three of them — S. Kilpatrick Jr.. Herbert and Sturm — are on the five member board of school estimate that must approve the budget.

Hughes On Budget Impact

WASHINGTON. D.C. - Congressman Bill Hughes ( D-NJ ) has expressed concern about the potential impact of some of the administration's budget proposals on southern New Jersey. Hughes said he is pleased that the administration's budget recommends increased funding for the war against drugs, and supports such local projects as the new federal prison in Fairfield Township, the long-awaited south jetty in Bamegat Inlet, and the deepening of the Salem River. However, he said he is concerned about other aspects of the budget, such as the proposals for Coast Guard user fees, salt water fishing licenses, and the elimination of major community development programs. BASED ON his preliminary analysis of the administration's budget. Hughes said he is particularly concerned about the following recommendations: 1. Law and Drug Enforcement: Hughes, who chairs the House Subcommittee on Crime, said

he is pleased with the administration's proposal to increase funding for the war against drugs to some $1.8 billion next year. At the same time, however. Hughes expressed concern that other important law enforcement programs have been singled out for major budget cuts. This includes the Justice Assistance Program, which helps state and local law enforcement authorities carry out innovative crime-fighting programs. HE SAID the Crime Subcommittee will be carefully reviewing the budget proposals for law enforcement in the weeks ahead, to make sure these agencies are adequately funded to carry out their missions. 2. FEDERAL PRISON: The administration's budget recommends funding to construct three newprisons around the country, including one in the Northeast which is expected to be built in Fairfield Township Hughes said he is pleased with the administration's commitment to this project. 3. Water Projects: Hughes said he is pleased

that the administration recommended funding for a number of important water projects in South Jersey. These include the construction of a new south jetty in Bamegat Inlet, maintenance dredging along the Intracoastal Waterway and Cold Spring Inlet, and the proposed deepening of the Salem River. However, he said he is disapointed that the Administration did not recommend any funding for the long-awaited beach restoration and storm protection project in Cape May County. IN ADDITION, he expressed serious misgivings over the administration's proposal to pay for these projects in part through a series of user fees on boaters, and by requiring salt water fishermen to buy . federal fishing licenses. Hughes, who serves on the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee, said those proposals make very little sense in view of the taxes and fees which boaters and fishermen already pay to support these projects. 4. Coast Guard: Hughes said he is concerned about budget cuts which could impede the mission of the Coast Guard. Overall, the administraiton has proposed to reduce funding for water transportation programs by $500 million, with some of those cuts slated for the Coast Guard. He noted that the Coast Guard performs many valuable missions in South Jersey, such as drug interdiction, search and rescue efforts and enforcement of the 200-mile fishing law. In addition, the Coast Guard's only training center is located in Cape May. 5. AMTRAK: The Congressman expressed concern about the Administraiton's proposal to terminate immediately all subsidies for Amtrak. He said this could undermine the major federal investments which have been made in the Amtrak system over the years, and also undercut the proposed Philadelphia to Atlantic City rail project.

Combination Tours Set For Weekend

CAPE MAY — On the approaching last weekend of February, the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts ( MAC) is sponsoring Combination Trolley/Physick Estate Tours and a Walking Tour. Combination Trolley/ Physick Estate Tours are offered as follows: Saturday. Feb. 22 - 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m. ; Sunday, Feb. 23 — 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Combination Tours begin at the Emlen Physick Estate;-! 048 Washington St., with an hour-long guided trolley tour that covers the East End and West End Historic districts in MAC.'s heated, enclosed trolley-bus. UPON RETURNING to the estate, visitors are guided through the lavish interior of the Physick House.

built in 1879 in the Stick Style, and restored as Victorian House Museum. Ending the tour, visitors are served hot cider and goodies in the Physick House Dining Room. Tickets are on sale at the entrance to the Physick House. No reservations are necessary. A WALKING Tour of the Historic District will be offered 11 a.m. Saturday. This tour provides an entertaining orientation. Knowledgable guides provide insights into the customs and traditions of the Victorians and their ornate, delightful architecture. The tour takes about 1 and 1/2 hours and begins at the > Information Booth at the head of the Washington Street Mall (at Ocean Street).

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