UPDATED: McCall Thanks Those Who Saved Him; County Schools’ Budgets Pass

CREST HAVEN — Saved by concerted quick medical aid Jan. 4, Frank McCall, Cape May County emergency coordinator, stood shoulder to shoulder on Tue., March 22, with four men — of seven — who helped save his life at the freeholder reorganization meeting.
The lifesavers included Dr. Joseph Salvatore, Dr. Joseph Tordella, Arthur Treon, Wildwood Fire Chief and County Fire Marshal Conrad “Connie” Johnson. They were present to received thanks from McCall and freeholders. Absent from the gathering was Tim Conrad, Richard Adair, and Rev. Givey, a schoolmate of McCall’s, who offered prayers for his recovery at the reorganization.
McCall had a cardiac episode and collapsed shortly before the ceremony at the Technical High School began.
The physicians and trained emergency medical technicians united around the fallen McCall, pressed an automatic external defibrillator into service, and continued to follow its instructions until McCall was transported by Middle Township ambulance.
“The people there that night did a great job,” said Freeholder Ralph Sheets Jr. “When Frank went down, he was pretty bad off. Through their efforts, they saved him. Without them, Frank might not be here. They gave proper attention quickly and efficiently, and we want to honor those people,” Sheets added.
Both Salvatore and Tordella spoke of the importance of having and knowing how to use an AED to save lives of those who suffer heart attacks.
McCall thanked each man who helped him in his hour of need a little over three months ago.
Boards of School Estimate of the Cape May County Technical School District and Special Services School District presented their budgets to freeholders at a 4 p.m. caucus prior to the regular meeting.
Technical School District Superintendent Robert Matthies requested $7,314,862 from the board to support the district’s total budget of $15,394,865.
The local levy, Matthies said, was needed to support the high school budget of $5,649,219, or 77 percent, and $1,665,643, or 23 percent was needed to support post-secondary adult high school, vocational and avocational programs offered to all county residents.
He said 70 percent of graduates continue their education at two or four year colleges or universities.
Matthies said 248 persons received their GED credential from the district; that 14 plumbers are taking part in four-year apprenticeship program to be completed in 2012.
IN the late afternoon and evening, some 1,484 adults are enrolled in evening classes that teach an array of subjects from ballroom dancing, welding and cabinet making to personal finance and carving.
Freeholder Susan Sheppard, board liaison to both districts, asked Matthies why, if other districts were experiencing a decline in enrolment, the technical district was anticipating an increased enrolment next year.
Based on volume of inquiries and applications, said Matthies. There has been a “decrease in the general population of high school age students,” said Matthies. Then, he explained the acceptance criteria.
Beginning in December, sometimes sooner, 90-120 prospective students begin the admission process. After testing, the student’s record is reviewed by an application review panel.
Sheppard asked if, to trim costs, the technical district would be amenable to a feasibility study to share administrative tasks with Special Services School District. Matthies said the district would agree to such a study.
Superintendent Barbara Makoski of Special Services Schools said 232 students are enrolled, but the district anticipates having 210 students next year, and that is the number on which the budget is based for the 2011-2012 school year. 
Makoski stated, “This is always an estimated number based on the number of students we know are graduating at the end of this year, the number of applications received and verbal information from sending districts. It can never be an exact number because of the many variables involved such as children with disabilities moving into or out of Cape May County. The scool population is down, she said, due to a number of factors, inclusion in local district schools and fewer children.
The district serves children from age 3-21 with a variety of programs, from pre-school to high school, not including the Compact School, an alternative high school, which is separately funded, she said.
She requested from the board $3.97 million of a total budget of $11.8 million. The board agreed to the requested amount.
Makoski told the board local school districts have not received state funding.
“We have seen a large decrease in the last 10 years due to inclusion, trying to educate in the home school,” said Makoski. “It’s been more drastic in the last couple years because of lowered state funding.”
She said the staff has been decreased through retirements, and those positions not replaced.
Seven years ago, the district employed four school nurses. As they retired, the district has only two.
“We have lowered our support staff in terms of classroom aides, and the teaching staff for this school year we did a mid-year layoff of 2.5 teaching staff due to lower enrolments,” said Makoski.
“Would you be amenable to sharing services with the technical school district?” asked Sheppard.
“Of course,” Makoski replied.