Sussex County Technical School, Sparta, NJ
Over the past several weeks, the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners has received many messages and spoken to numerous parents over concerns regarding recently announced cuts by the Sussex County Technical School. Commissioners Earl Shick and Jack DeGroot attended the April Board of Education meeting to listen to the families and students first hand. While the Board does not have oversight over the day-to-day operations of the Sussex County Technical School, there is a portion of the school’s annual operating and capital expenditures that is provided by Sussex County and approved by the Board of Commissioners.
Most recently, Commissioner Director Jill Space and Deputy Director Chris Carney, as members of the County’s budget committee, met with administration to work collaboratively to address these concerns. While the County has already passed their annual budget, the Board does have the ability to reallocate designated funds at the end of the year. As a result of this support by the Sussex County Board of County Commissioners, the Sussex County Technical School will have the ability to maintain programs that enrich the educational experience of their students. These programs include Graphic Arts, Architecture and the Drama Club. In addition, while Theater Arts will be sunsetting, current juniors will have the opportunity to complete their senior year in this program. Should additional funding become available, the Technical School has pledged to explore future reinstatement of the program.
The Board of County Commissioners and the Sussex County Technical School remains deeply grateful for their partnership. Ensuring the ability for every student to have access to the resources and experiences they need to thrive academically, personally and professional remains both the Board’s and the Technical School’s top priorities.