SACS History

It was on the initiative of the Superintendent of Summit Schools that a meeting was convened in December 1974 to explore the need for adult education in Summit and how this need might be met. In the summer of 1975, the Summit Area Community Council and the Board of Education cooperated in sponsoring the Summit Sharing Workshops, a pilot program of adult classes taught by volunteers. The success of the Workshops inspired the establishment in May 1976 of the Summit Area Community Council/Board of Education "Task Force for a Community School."

The positive conclusions of the Task Force resulted in the proposal for seed money funding, submitted to the Junior League's Project Research Committee in October 1976 by Task Force Chairman Gina Dingle and Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Gerard Murphy, a member of the Task Force. It was clear at this time that the school system was willing to contribute services and facilities, but was unwilling to take the risk of contributing funds. The Junior League made a two-year total grant of $6,000 with the understanding that the Board of Education would allow continuing use of classroom facilities.

The Summit Area Community School opened its doors in September 1977 with 28 classes and 475 students, with Jacqueline Graham Wall as part-time director. Mrs. Wall retired in May 1994.

At present, the School offers over 200 classes and receives over 2900 registrations per semester. A Saturday morning children's program (Summit Area Community Kids-- SACK) was begun in February of 1996. The office is in the basement of the Summit Free Public Library.