New tech-school leader has big plans Administrator wants to see Warren facility busy year-round. Monday, July 16, 2007 • BY SARA K. SATULLO • The Express-Times FRANKLIN TWP. | Warren County Technical School's new top administrator plans to shake up ideas about vocational education. In the next few months expect to see Robert Glowacky out in the community showing residents the opportunities available for skilled high school graduates, which he says includes college. "We are preparing students to pick up parts of the economy that need help," said Glowaky, the new chief school administrator. "The reason I liked coming here is that this is a true vocational school. There are major opportunities to expand if there is money and space." He is trying to develop a partnership with Warren County Community College under which technical school graduates could earn credits toward an associate's degree. He had success with a similar approach in his former district with a culinary arts program. "If parents see it's a good choice they will support it," Glowacky said. Glowacky himself knows from experience that parents want "more" for their children. His bricklayer father pushed him to go to college and he did. But Glowacky left before earning a bachelor's degree and worked for 19 years as an auto mechanic. At 40, his wife, Joann, and his father pushed him to finish the degree. He did and went on to earn two master's degrees. He says a doctorate is the next step. Glowacky of Blairstown started out as a shop teacher in the Union County Vocational Technical School District. "His leadership potential was immediately recognized by the teachers association because they elected him president of the teachers union," his former boss Superintendent Thomas Bistocchi said. Glowacky then became the principal of adult education, which meant overseeing students 16 and older. He also implemented a state program that targets getting dropouts back in school, Bistocchi said. "He's a product of a district that grew very rapidly. I believe he can bring in new innovative ideas," Bistocchi said. "We were a district the size of Warren. Now we are the fastest growing vocational school in New Jersey." Warren County Technical School is nearing its 500-student capacity; five years ago there were 150. Students are already applying for 2008 and some had to be turned away for this year, Glowacky said. He may rotate classrooms to create more space. By next year Glowacky wants summer activity to rise. He proposes drawing students in by offering online classes. "This place should be hustling and bustling all day and night and even on the weekends," he said gesturing with excitement in his office. "Taxpayers fund this place. It's time to give back to the community." The school recently finished construction on a new student restaurant that schools officials hope to open to the public. Glowacky is now planning the program. "We've got this brand-new kitchen here and I could see video lessons going online," he said. "Then anyone, including the community, could tap into a series of lessons." Reporter Sara K. Satullo can be reached at 908-475-2174 or by e-mail at ssatullo@express-times.com.