Sussex Tech school board to meet Monday

The Sussex County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a vote of no confidence in the Sussex Technical High School administration and school board at its April 24 meeting.

The move, which means the commissioners no longer support the superintendent or school board, came after Sussex Tech Superintendent Gus Modla and Business Administrator/Board Secretary Jenny Deuel responded to questions from commissioners for nearly an hour on a plan to eliminate three stores to close a gap in its budget for the 2024-25 school year.

The Sussex Tech school board unanimously tabled proposals for cuts to the architecture, graphic communications and theater arts stores at its April 18 meeting, after listening to more than 100 students, parents, alumni students and staff members criticize this plan.

The Sussex Tech Board of Trustees has announced a special meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday, May 13 in the school auditorium. The agenda should be available on Wednesday, May 8.

The next regular board meeting will be held on Thursday, May 16 at 4 p.m. in the school library.

Before approving the vote of no confidence, commissioners criticized Modla for not bringing the budget issue to them before it was made public on social media.

Budget hole

Chris Carney, deputy director of the Board of Commissioners, noted that commissioners approved a 2024-25 budget of approximately $7.9 million for Sussex Tech, $249,000 less than what was requested, “without never knew you were going to end up in this hole.”

“I just don’t understand why we’re here,” he said, noting that Modla didn’t mention a big gap when he appeared before commissioners to discuss the proposed budget.

Commissioner Earl Schick said Modla told commissioners that Sussex Tech had a waiting list of students and that its enrollment had increased significantly. “You have been very positive about registrations and additional funding.

“We are not satisfied with this presentation” after learning about a week later that three stores were going to be removed, he said.

Jill Space, director of the Board of Commissioners, said the commissioners can’t do anything about Sussex Tech’s budget now that the county budget has been approved.

She noted that the council of commissioners appoints members of the Sussex Tech school board. “When the time comes to renew the mandate, we could appoint new members of the board of directors. … Maybe people are ready for a change.”

She supported the idea of ​​a citizens’ advisory committee, suggested by some parents, as a way for Sussex Tech officials to regain the community’s trust.

No new programs

Responding to a question from Space, Modla said Sussex Tech aims to maintain its current programs but does not plan to add any over the next five to 10 years.

Responding to a question from Commissioner Jack DeGroot, Modla said the three stores proposed for removal were chosen based on enrollment, interest from incoming freshmen and the ability of affected students to transition to a program related. For example, those enrolled in graphic communications could move toward commercial art and those in architecture could move toward engineering or construction workshops.

Certain sectors, such as agriculture, may have low registration rates but are closely linked to the county’s economy, he noted.

Even though the theater arts store would have to close, teachers would stay to teach an introductory theater class to all Sussex Tech students, he said. Additionally, the 10 students who become seniors next year will be allowed to graduate from this workshop next year.

“The programs evolve and change,” he said, recalling that the vehicle maintenance shop was phased out and the teacher worked with the auto shop.

Sussex Tech received a grant in 2018 to help fund an ongoing expansion, Modla said. Sussex County provides a quarter of the cost, with the rest coming from the state.

The school swimming pool is being demolished; two classrooms for the paramedic program will be added; and space to house computers will be added for the engineering workshop.

Modla said no administrative positions have been added in the past two years. An administrator position was eliminated this year and those responsibilities were added to those of another administrator, who received a raise.