THE YEAR CHURCH AND STATE WERE ONE

THE YEAR CHURCH AND STATE WERE ONE

BY

JACK GOUDSWARD.

   The year was 1960 and profound changes were going on in the school system of Franklin Lakes. With the influx of more students the Franklin Avenue was reaching capacity. The High Mountain Road School was under construction but would not be completed before 1962. Two new Kindergarten teachers were already employed and 80 new Kindergarten students were ready to arrive.   So another alternative was sought.

    The solution that was implemented was to rent the two meeting rooms that were in the Franklin Lakes Methodist Church. This was the best solution. The parking lot could be used as a playground and also where the children could be dropped off for school. The two rooms were outfitted with tables, blackboards, poster boards, chairs and toys. To accommodate all 80 students they were divided in half.  The first 40 would be split into 2 groups of twenty and taught in the two rooms. This school day went from 8 A.M. to 12 P.M. Then they were bussed home. At 1 P.M.  to 3 P.M. the second school day would run.  

     This program lasted only one year. In September of 1962 High Mountain Road School opened. The two Kindergarten classes moved there along with other classes. This move helped elevate the overcrowding of the Franklin Avenue School. But this is not the only time the rooms in the church came to the aid of the town. In World War II the rooms served at the Civilian Defense  Hospital for the town.