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Gloucester school board approves new courses but delays drone class amid cost concerns
Summary
The Gloucester County School Board approved multiple additions to the high-school and middle-school program of studies on Jan. 13, 2026 — including dance and criminal-justice sequences — but deferred a standalone unmanned aircraft systems (drone) course after discussion about startup and recurring costs, staffing, and budget timing.
The Gloucester County School Board on Jan. 13 approved several additions to its program of studies — from Techniques of Dance and Criminal Justice II to a proposed advanced middle‑school science pathway — but voted to hold off on establishing a standalone unmanned aircraft systems (drone) course while it examines staffing and budget implications.
Superintendent-designated staff presented a slate of course proposals and cost estimates, telling the board that a full-time teacher plus startup equipment could require tens of thousands of dollars and recurring annual costs. Staff said student testing and prep materials alone could amount to roughly $275–$325 per student in the first year (a $175 FAA test fee plus $100–$150 in prep materials), and that initial equipment and annual maintenance might add “$25,000–$30,000 a year” depending on enrollment and replacement needs. Staff also said the current drone instruction is offered through the NJROTC program by a certificated instructor but that expanding the course beyond that program would require additional staffing or overload assignments.
Board members raised three central concerns: whether sufficient student demand exists to justify a new full-time instructor (staff estimated roughly 60–70 students would support a full-time position), how to fund an ongoing program given current budget constraints and the upcoming FY 2026–27 budget process, and whether temporary options (a part-time instructor or an overload section) could meet demand without committing to a new full‑time position.
“We don’t want to hold it out there and then say, ‘Sorry, we couldn’t fund it,’ ” one board member said during the discussion, urging the board to consider budget contingencies before committing. Another member noted that some equipment was donated in the past and suggested pursuing sponsorships or grants to reduce district costs.
After discussion the board moved to approve the full package of program-of-studies changes “with the exception of the drone course.” The transcript records the board poll on that motion as follows: Drew — yes; Solomon (Salmon) — yes; Scruggs — yes; McPherson — yes; Anderson — no; Parker — yes; Arsenovic — yes. The motion carried.
What happens next: staff said approved courses will be edited into the program-of-studies document and returned to the board for final scheduling and student sign‑ups ahead of the 2026–27 school year. The drone course may return later with a more detailed budget, enrollment forecast and staffing plan.
Who said it: The unmanned aircraft discussion included the staff presenter who supplied cost estimates, board members who asked about scheduling and grants, and Captain Merkel (NJROTC) referenced as the current instructor for the limited course offering. Public comment earlier in the meeting also included student requests for a dance elective that helped drive the dance-course proposal.
The board recorded no formal motions to adopt the drone course; it approved the other course additions by the recorded voice/roll-call vote noted above.
