Student
to attend P'burg school
CATHOLIC CHARITIES decision
reversed on attorney's advice.
Saturday, March 18, 206 • By SARAH CASSI •
The Express-Times
PHILLIPSBURG | A group home student from
Camden can attend Phillipsburg High School, despite last
month's school board vote to deny admission.
Attorney Donald W. Morrow told the school
board this week that it can't deny a student admission and
the student in question should remain enrolled.
Morrow said he wants to review how group
home residents are placed.
"I want to make sure the entire procedure
is followed," Morrow said.
He said most students are placed in the
district by Division of Youth and Family Services
officials.
Admission requests for Catholic Charities
students, though, currently allow the school board to decide
whether to accept a student into the district.
The board voted 7-4 on Feb. 13 against
accepting one of the Catholic Charities group home's
students into the district. The Camden student was enrolled
in a learning disabilities program at the high school since
Jan. 30.
Catholic Charities runs three group
homes: the Peter and Paul House on Sayre Avenue in
Phillipsburg, a home in Perth Amboy in Middlesex County, and
a home in Liberty Corner, Somerset County.
Superintendent Gordon Pethick said he met
after the vote with Catholic Charities officials, the
attorney and representatives from DYFS to discuss student
placement.
Board members said they want Catholic
Charities to make a presentation to the board on the
placement process.
"I'd like them to be here and answer all
of our questions at one time," board member Kevin J.
DeGerolamo said.
When asked to respond to the vote and
legal opinion, Catholic Charities spokeswoman Erica A.
Bertoli read a prepared statement.
"The youth who reside at the Catholic
Charities group homes are there to improve their quality of
life. Catholic Charities is committed to supporting them in
their pursuit," Bertoli said. "Catholic Charities has always
worked closely with the Phillipsburg school system to ensure
that the community and the youth succeed together. The
agency looks forward to a continued partnership with the
community, with the common goal of protecting, educating and
caring for all of the children who reside in
Phillipsburg."
Reporter Sarah Cassi can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by
e-mail at scassi@express-times.com.
© 2006 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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