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10-16-11 Education in the News
The Record-Northhersey.com -

Englewood schools and city officials work to share services …and…

Urban schools offer dynamic learning experiences

The Record - Englewood schools and city officials work to share services

Friday, October 14, 2011

BY MELISSA HAYES

STAFF WRITER

ENGLEWOOD – The school district and the city are close to reaching a lease agreement for the former Russell C. Major Liberty School, which would allow students to continue using the building until school officials decide it is no longer needed.

Mayor Frank Huttle announced the pending agreement at a joint meeting of the City Council and Board of Education this week, where both groups also stressed the need to share services.

Superintendent Donald Carlisle said he expected the agreement to be signed in a matter of days.

Huttle said lawyers for both the city and board are working to finalize the wording of the contract, which could then be voted on.

"The bottom line is, the school district will continue to occupy the Liberty School," Huttle said. "The school district, Board of Education will have pretty much the ultimate flexibility to do what's best for the children, whether they decide for several years to continue to occupy the school or they decide to vacate."

The city bought Lincoln School and Russell C. Major Liberty School on Tenafly Road from the school district in 2003 for $11.5 million. The district vacated Lincoln in 2008 and was paid for that site. But the city withheld the remaining funds, because the district was still utilizing Liberty for its administrative offices and alternative high school program. This year the district also opened an alternative middle school program at that site.

Huttle said once the lease is executed, the city would pay the district $5.8 million. When the district vacates the school, the city would pay the final $1 million the district is owed. The district did not release figures for what it would pay in rent.

School board member Henry Pruitt, who has been working on the lease agreement with the city, applauded the district's partnership with the city, saying the purchase allowed for upgrades to other schools.

"It has been interesting working with them," he said. "The goals of the city in terms of having the best quality of education for our community is apparent and hopefully we'll be able to get the transaction done and be able to move on successfully."

Sharing services

In addition to the lease, both district and city officials discussed the importance of shared services.

City Manager Timothy Dacey suggested the school take over the Tryon Pool and the city would continue to oversee the Mackay Park pool. The city paid an outside vendor $90,000 to operate both sites this summer. He said having the district in charge of a pool would also give them a space for programs.

"We firmly believe that by working with the Board of Education we would be able to increase programs and reduce costs to the city," he said.

Board member Glenn Garrison said he would also like to discuss sharing the ice rink at Mackay Park.

Dacey said the city is also working with the district to possibly use school buses for city recreation sports programs.

Volunteer tutors

Both sides said it would take more than just city and school officials working together and urged the residents to get involved. Pruitt said residents could serve as volunteer tutors, or offer their expertise for after-school programs, another area school and city officials are working on.

Following state funding cuts to NJ After 3, a New Brunswick-based non-profit that provides after school programming to urban areas including Englewood, city and school officials are looking for alternative after-school options for students.

Huttle said the school district could also provide space for adult programming.

He challenged city and school officials to identify available spaces and come up with program suggestions within 60 days.

"Let's hunker down on the programs, and let's take the first step to getting them done," he said.

E-mail: hayes@northjersey.com

The Record , NorthJersey.com - Urban schools offer dynamic learning experiences

Friday, October 14, 2011

BY WINNIE BONELLI

SPECIAL TO NORTH JERSEY JOBS

North Jersey Jobs

Autumn is the time of year when high school juniors' minds begin weighing their future plans. The allure of faraway places might seem intriguing, but often the richest educational experiences can be found in one's back yard. This applies to urban-based schools that offer both cultural and practical experiences unequalled in a suburban setting.

This is especially true for students seeking superior opportunities to learn, live and commercialize their intellectual capabilities. The entire city might be viewed as a laboratory of learning beyond the campus boundaries, whether in the form of libraries, museums, research centers, cultural or sporting events.

There are also countless hands-on practical opportunities to become actively involved. In recent years, institutions like UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School have worked diligently to realize the full potential of their urban locations by partnering with their host cities and private developers. A prime example is a variety of health-related activities, including the Homeless and Indigent Populations Health and Outreach Project and the Promise Clinic in New Brunswick and the Healthcare Outreach Project in Camden, noted Robert Forman, chief of News Services for UMDNJ.

At the same time, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey's, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy in New Brunswick boasts the Center for Urban Policy Research. It is ranked No. 3, right behind MIT and Cornell, in the nation by the Planetizen Guide to Graduate Urban Planning Programs.

CUPR is internationally recognized for its research on topics like affordable housing, land use policy, and environmental impacts, along with developing fiscal and quality-of-life impact models. In addition, their Institute for Meadowlands Studies is a resource for socioeconomic policy analysis for the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission. While many of these studies are geared for graduate students, there are a number of certification programs, according to Steven D. Weston, assistant dean for Student and Academic Services.

Diversity in both age and cultural backgrounds goes far in creating "a dynamic learning experience" explained John Melendez, PhD, vice president of Student Affairs at New Jersey City University in Jersey City. "You normally find 17- to 22-year-olds fresh out of high school in a college setting, but a large number of our students are more mature, having already been in the work force, and have returned to school to learn new concepts. They share their different perspectives and by challenging each other, everyone is enhanced and benefits.

"New Jerseyattracts individuals from all over the world - Asia, South America, Eastern Europe, and many of these newcomers are showing up on our campus, which provides students with a rich, global experience," said Melendez.

Melendez revealed a little about his own background. "My parents only had a third-grade education when they arrived from Puerto Rico. I was the first in my family to go to college. From personal experience, I can see how education transforms minds and filters down to subsequent generations. Our school's motto emphasizes serving others and there are numerous volunteer opportunities involving our students such as Habitat for Humanity, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and designing posters for the Statue of Liberty's upcoming 125th anniversary."

Along with the nearness of cultural and business opportunities, Elizabeth Marinace, executive director of Enrollment Management at Passaic County Community College, cites "accessibility" as a desirable plus. "There are several modes of transportation within easy walking distance for students who don't have cars. And our close proximityto downtown Paterson gives our students a wealth of cultural activities and business opportunities.

PCCC was a recent recipient of three federal grants designed to implement additional training in the field of health care. Marinace credited President Obama's goal of producing more than 5 million degrees and certifications within the next 10 years. The executive chief further hailed community colleges as "the unsung heroes of the nation's education system."

Aside from PCCC, Paterson's HoHoKus School of Trade and Technical Science is the only other accredited school of higher learning within Passaic County's urban terrain. Owned and operated by Eastwick Education, President Tom Eastwick describes the school as an alternate "for the young man or woman who enjoys working with their hands." In reality, the student body ranges in age from 18 to 60 years old. Although most are recent high school graduates, HoHoKus School does attract college grads and middle-aged individuals looking to change their career goals.

Running nine months in length, the various curriculums include plumbing, heating and pipe fitting, building maintenance superintendent, manufacturing technology, structural plate welding (AWSDI.1) and electrician apprenticeship. Approved by the New Jersey Department of Education plus the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, graduates are assured of an apprenticeship and a full year's worth of recognition that translates into a higher starting salary, according to Eastwick.