For-credit college courses would return to Bethel Park in September under a proposed agreement between Community College of Allegheny County and the Bethel Park School District.
The Bethel Park school board, in an 8-0 vote last night, approved a lease agreement that would allow the college to use Independence Middle School beginning in the fall.
The college wants to lease about six classrooms four nights a week to deliver credit courses over 14 weeks beginning Sept. 4, CCAC spokeswoman Helen Kaiser said yesterday. The college wants to use approximately six additional classrooms and possibly the cafeteria for non-credit courses that would begin Sept. 17 and run eight weeks.
Facing a budget squeeze, CCAC in June terminated credit classes at its Bethel Park Center, citing among other issues the expense associated with the former Logan School building where the center is housed. The aging facility needs substantial work to meet federal disabilities requirements, the college has said.
Non-credit courses have continued at the Logan building even as its future has been debated. State and local politicians criticized the initial decision to scale back classes and have pushed for resumption of credit classes in the community.
One of those officials, Allegheny County Council member Vincent Gastgeb, R-Bethel Park, has estimated the center serves more than 1,000 people. Yesterday, he praised the proposed agreement and said in a news release that the talks have led to "a great educational product for the citizens of Allegheny County."
Officials have said the classes would be run evenings during hours that would not interfere with middle school operations.
First Published: March 1, 2007, 5:00 a.m.