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Parent urges Barnegat board to sustain new aviation elective; superintendent cites budget limits
Summary
A parent asked the Barnegat board to commit to continuing a high‑school Intro to Aviation elective built on AOPA curriculum; Superintendent Dr. Brian Latwiss said the district values the pathway but faces an approximate $2,000,000 state funding cut and is exploring creative staffing options.
During public comment at the Dec. 17 Barnegat Township School District Board meeting, parent Laurie Padgett urged the board to continue and expand an Intro to Aviation elective at Barnegat High School.
Padgett said the course uses the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) curriculum and argued the district should follow through beyond the first year rather than introduce a course and discontinue it. "The entire curriculum, including labs, everything is provided to the schools, so they don't have to do anything," Padgett said, adding that, in her view, a single section or an entry‑criteria process could preserve the program while limiting staffing impact.
Superintendent Dr. Brian Latwiss acknowledged Padgett's follow‑up email and said the administration values aviation as a career pathway but must balance staffing and budget constraints. "Last year, we lost $2,000,000 in state funding," Latwiss said. He added that the district had discussed aviation as a pathway and is open to creative approaches, including the idea of a second section with enrollment criteria to ensure sustainability.
The board did not take a formal vote on the elective at the Dec. 17 meeting. Latwiss said he would respond to Padgett’s email in more depth and the administration will continue to explore options before making staffing or curriculum commitments for the next school year.
What to watch: Any follow‑up from the superintendent or placement of a proposed curriculum change on a future agenda (typically after budget planning and committee review).
