Commissioners Question Recovery School’s Location

WILDWOOD ─ “We (City) don’t want anything to stand in the way of the children getting the help they need,” Commissioner Peter Byron told the Herald Feb. 15 after discussion arose during the Feb. 13 Commissioners’ meeting about a recovery high school in Wildwood.   
A Feb. 4 Herald article reported the plans for Coastal Preparatory High School, a “recovery postsecondary school” in Cape May County. This initiative is between non-profit organization Cape Assist and the Middle Township School District.
The establishment of the school is being funded by a $500,000 state grant.
According to City Commissioners, no one in the administration was aware of the proposed school, slated to open March 1.
“We didn’t know this was coming,” Byron said during public comment Feb. 13.
Resident Al Brennan asked Mayor Troiano, Byron, and Commissioner Anthony Leonetti for their thoughts on the recovery school.
“They (Cape Assist) haven’t come to us yet,” Leonetti replied.
“My position is simple,” Troiano said. The mayor said his concerns revolve around two major points: Wildwood residents and safety concerns at the Cape Assist building. Is the building “up to code” to facilitate a school, Troiano pondered.
According to officials, Cape Assist is required to meet zoning and fire code standards.
However, both Troiano and Byron said they are not against a recovery school in principle. Byron said the issue is “a lack of transparency.”
“I don’t see this as a done deal,” Troiano said, regarding the school’s location. However, the mayor added, “I wish them well.”
Troiano said he wishes the school to be “centrally located.”
As commissioners and residents posed concerns, a common thread emerged: no one is against students continuing their education while battling addictions. As Wildwood faces its own social issues, commissioners do not see the necessity of placing the school within the city.
According to the Feb. 4 Herald article, “National statistics show that an estimated 1.3 million 12- to 17-year-olds have some form of substance abuse disorder. For those who seek recovery through rehabilitation programs, the grim reality is an up to 70 percent relapse rate when the teen reenters high school. The special support environment of a recovery high school aims to reverse that trend.”
In order to provide students a conducive environment, Coastal Preparatory will offer a non-residential program, allowing students to meet with tutors from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
No costs will be imposed on a student’s school district.
“The program will combine recovery and academics in a non-judgmental environment free of the many triggers that often lead to relapse into continued substance abuse,” stated the Feb. 4 article.
A teacher will work with students and access will be provided to the New Jersey Virtual School classes. The student’s home district will grant the diploma, not Cape Assist.
“Two of the expected four staff members at the school will be credentialed and certified for certain subjects offering face-to-face classes to augment the online academic experience,” read the Feb. 4 article.
The Herald spoke with Cape Assist Executive Director Katie Faldetta Feb. 20, seeking further information.
In a phone interview, Faldetta said the school’s hours will have “minimal impact” on the city and its residents.
According to Faldetta, less than eight students are expected and are all from Cape May County, despite concerns to the contrary. However, the school is open to students from Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, Ocean, Gloucester, Camden, and Burlington counties.
Faldetta stressed the need for the program and invites those with questions to call Cape Assist at (609) 522-5960 for information.
Until June 2019, the school will operate at the Cape Assist location. Another location may be sought in the future.
Faldetta said the program is “small” and will pose no negative impact on Wildwood.
For young people battling addiction and social challenges, Coastal Preparatory offers a place with no “barriers” for learning.
As stated in a previous article, both the Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health and National Institute of Drug Abuse speak “positively” of such schools.
Coastal Preparatory will be the third recovery school in New Jersey, alongside Union and Monmouth counties.
“I think it’s (recovery school) a good idea,” Brennan said Feb. 20, while maintaining his concerns.
To contact Rachel Rogish, email rrogish@cmcherald.com.