Grads Make Pleas Fearing Closure; School to Remain

CREST HAVEN ─ Awesome news for graduates and students at Cape Educational COMPACT, 204 Moore Road, the school is not closing, according to Special Services School District Superintendent Barbara Makoski.
Fueled by rumors of pending closure, a group of five graduates and one who wished she could be, plus a mother, addressed freeholders March 8. They united to praise the school and pressed the board to keep COMPACT in operation to benefit students.
All cited the school’s undeserved reputation as solely “for bad kids,” and rehearsed how teachers had helped them, boosted their confidence, and guided them to further their education.
According to Makoski, COMPACT is one of three schools under the Special Services Board of Education. Students, who are not successful in their high schools, may be in danger of dropping out of school, and do not need special education services, attend COMPACT funded through their local districts on a tuition basis.
“The school has struggled to maintain enrollment over the last few years, and there are a few changes being studied and considered to increase efficiency while still meeting the needs of our students, but COMPACT is not closing,” Makoski told the Herald.
Makoski added she had met with school staff “about the challenges we face, but definitely told them we are committed to keep the school open.”
The school’s website states it was “established to serve disaffected students ages 14-21.
“These students, in most cases, are non-classified and of average to above average intelligence, who have not been successful in their own high schools but are motivated to earn their high school diploma.”
Alana Kurtz, a 2015 graduate, the first to speak, said she was told lack of funding was the cause, and that students would be placed in Special Services School. “I don’t think it’s going to work,” Kurtz said. “These kids need that school, they need the special attention.”
Relating her past, she added, “I had anxiety and depression and PTSD and the school changed my life.” Due to its small size, Kurtz said, she was no longer afraid of school.
“COMPACT doesn’t just give us a high school diploma it gives us a second chance. It gives us so much confidence,” Kurtz said, adding she graduated in three years, and went to Atlantic Cape Community College. “I never thought I’d be going to college if I didn’t have that school.”
Virginia Fiedler, a 2010 graduate, is employed by Quality Care Resource and Referral, a federally-funded program. She is also on the board of directors of C.U.R.E. Ministry which assists those struggling with addiction at The Lighthouse Church, Burleigh. A student at Atlantic Cape Community College, she also runs a 12-Step recovery meeting.
“If it weren’t for this school,” Fiedler said, none of what she experienced would likely have happened. Noting that students at COMPACT are at-risk teens, “Mixing them with Special Services might not be the best option.”
Kurtz’ mother, Noel Mascio, recounted her daughter’s struggle with mathematics. “When she came home with straight A’s in math, and said ‘I’m tutoring people in math,’ I cried.”
“I’m sure we are really taken with this. We didn’t know. This is the very first time I heard this. The treasurer hasn’t heard this either,” said Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton in response to the speakers.
“We will contact the superintendent of schools tomorrow,” Thornton continued. “I will try to find out what’s going on. Well, I can tell you we’re going to fight that. You have a great reputation there.”
Brittany Shelton, a Lower Township resident who said “I tried to get Lower to send me to COMPACT, it made such a difference to so many, but they sent me to an online school. COMPACT would have been the greatest thing for me. I’m hoping you guys can keep it open.”
“How were you informed about this?” asked Freeholder Kristine Gabor.
Shelton replied “They’ve been talking about it for quite some time.” She added a friend told her there was a 90 percent chance of the school closing.
The seven-classroom school was created at the request of districts as a place for students who otherwise were not adaptable to a regular classroom setting. Since its advent, some districts have opted to retain students who might otherwise have been placed at COMPACT by offering later start times and smaller class settings. Thus they save the extra tuition. Such district savings, however, have resulted in less funding to operate COMPACT.
A Special Services School District Board of Education meeting took place March 15, too late for this edition. Speakers who addressed freeholders said they planned to attend that meeting in the hope they could find answers and plead for the school.