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Parents and student urge Barnegat board to continue high school aviation sequence after purchase of flight simulators
Summary
A parent and a student asked the Barnegat Township Board of Education to approve year 3 of the high school aviation program after the district bought flight simulators; administrators said low prior enrollment had been the obstacle but said they will re-evaluate if more students formally express interest.
Parents and a student urged the Barnegat Township Board of Education on Monday to continue the high school aviation sequence beyond the second year, saying the district has already purchased flight simulators and that students want to continue their training.
Laurie Padgett, a Barnegat resident, told the board she appreciated the district offering years 1 and 2 but asked trustees to do whatever they can “to help get year 3 offered.” Padgett said the curriculum is provided by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and that the district recently ordered flight simulators. “So why did we invest money in flight simulators if the program is not gonna continue?” she asked.
Superintendent Dr. Latwiss responded that administration had earlier received a message from the staff member (identified in Padgett’s email as Mr. Barbieri) indicating there had been limited expressed interest at the time. “At this point, I believe, Mister Barbieri responded. The, at that point, we had only had interest expressed from 1 student in the program,” Latwiss said, and added the district would look again if additional students formally indicate interest.
David Padgett, a sophomore, told the board he was speaking for classmates who could not attend and described the class as valuable. “I’ve greatly enjoyed the course,” he said, and asked the board to expand the offering so the district can make fuller use of the simulators.
Board members did not take an immediate vote on adding year 3. The superintendent and other administrators said low enrollment can limit the district’s ability to run elective sections but that they would revisit the program if more students sign up or if administrators can identify scheduling or budget solutions. The board did not set a deadline for the next decision.
The public comment took place during the board’s public session; the board later proceeded with its agenda of committee motions and personnel actions.
