BUILDING FOR SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY - Kennedy Bibliothek

86. He organised marathon basketball games and other sports events.
Using the basement of the school, he got the Drug Abuse Council to pay for
a supervisor and game tables to establish a positive alternative to taking
drugs. Since he organised a health fair with the Parents and Teachers'
Association (PTA), the Women's Fire Auxiliary, the Rotary Club, and the
County Health Department, he serves on the municipality's Board of Health.
He got the Morris County College to pay for a "student at work" study
program to staff several programs. The Rotary Club paid for the materials
of the Christmas Eve Program, the PTA runs films on Friday nights which
are free and an asset to a community which has no local theatre. As dictated
by necessity and philosophy, users had to shape their own rooms.
Groups that wanted a room on a permanent basis (like the Girl Scouts, Cub
Scouts, the business association, and pre-school) brought their own paint,
carpets, and furniture. Other furniture items were donated by local
businesses or citizens. "Community participation", Touhey found, "is a
gradual work-up".
87. The Community Center is open for ad hoc uses like parties, theatre
groups, games groups, etc. However, a very clear list of priorities
puts education (in fact school) uses first. In addition to the old school,
the program also uses the new elementary school's workshops and sports
facilities. It opens on weekends only on special requests as there is no
janitor. Children from other school districts, wanting to use the facility,
pay a nominal fee.
88. The community education budget of $20 800 ($10 800 for the community
co-ordinator and $10 000 for maintenance) is part of the total school
budget and has not been passed by the voters as a separate issue. Funds
for adult education programs, high school completion, and vocational
training come from the state. However, since community interests are
directed more towards recreational programs, Touhey has actively sought
the co-operation and financial support of the municipal government. This
has not been achieved so far. The statistics, nevertheless, point to a
substantial increase in recreational activities, the number of users as
well as the variety of programs:
- arts and crafts (126 users);
- dancing and drama (41 users);
- clubs (148 users);
- group activities (162 users);
- sports and games (340 users).
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