Warren Tech expects record enrollment Perceptions of vocational technical education have changed, chief school administrator says. Friday, January 18, 2008 • By Sara K. Satullo • The Express-Times FRANKLIN TWP. | Warren County Technical School officials are expecting next year's enrollment to reach an all-time high of 475 students. Chief School Administrator Robert Glowacky credits the rise in the school's interest to changing perceptions about vocational technical education. "Lots of parents don't know how technical education has changed. They think back to the '70s when they were in school. If you were going to vocational school you were going right to work," Glowacky said. "It has come a long way with the development of academy programs." Now, technical school graduates go on to college and advanced trade programs then become sought-after members of the work force. The school has held informational sessions to get that message out. Six years ago, total school enrollment was 150 students. Last year, there were 250 total applicants for the incoming freshman class. Chris Kinney, the school's director of student services, explained 200 applications means about 15 percent of all Warren County eighth-grade students. "Once a student makes a decision to come here I want to try to get a student in," Glowacky said. "We've all had that feeling. I wish the school was large enough to take everyone." Today is the last day to apply to join Warren County Technical School's incoming freshman class and Glowacky expects a flurry of last minute applications. At last count Thursday, 145 students had applied for the 125 available seats, he said. "There were still tours coming through the school today," he said. "There are going to be more and more. These are just the applications that came in on time. The late ones will be considered. I want to give everybody a chance." Glowacky isn't concerned about the building's 500-student capacity and says there are plenty of way to consolidate programs and classroom space. He hopes to combine the engineer and design course to include welding, machine technology, electronics and robotics. "Then you are more of a well rounded graduate when you come out," he said. The academy approach focuses on picking a vocational technical career path early on and integrating academics. There will be some new academy programs added next year if enough students are interested, including a childhood development program and facilities management program. The state Department of Education was unable to immediately provide statistics on the popularity of vocational technical education statewide. Reporter Sara K. Satullo can be reached at 908-475-2174 or by e-mail at ssatullo@express-times.com.