to two petitions in
redistricting struggle
Atty: Board within rights
to set attendance areas
FRHSD files answers
to two petitions in
redistricting struggle
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer
In response to a petition filed by the township of Marlboro with the state commissioner of education, the attorney who represents the Freehold Regional High School District Board of Education said the panel has the authority to make student school assignment decisions.
Attorney Nathanya Simon said two petitions were filed against the school district. One petition was filed by the township of Marlboro and one was filed by a private citizen of Marlboro. Both petitions challenge a redistricting plan which is scheduled to take effect in September.
Simon said the two petitions were filed separately before Commissioner of Education William L. Librera.
Marlboro filed its petition on Dec. 6 and took issue with the board’s decision to assign some high school age Marlboro residents to attend Colts Neck High School beginning in September. Marlboro claims that in reaching its decision to redistrict some students the board relied upon demographic reports, information and data that admittedly contained numerous errors. The petition claims the board also made its redistricting decision without the benefit of a needed full-scale demographic study.
Board members said they were implementing the redistricting plan to handle overcrowded conditions at Marlboro High School. The plan also assigns some high school age residents of Manalapan to Freehold Township High School beginning in September 2003.
According to the petition, Marlboro High School is not currently overcrowded and the school does not face any overcapacity issues in the immediate future. The petition claims the board failed to explore or consider alternative, more viable and less intrusive options for redistricting, including the voluntary reassignment of students.
The petition also claims that in adopting the redistricting plan the board exhibited bias toward Marlboro residents by targeting Marlboro for geographic redistricting, stating it was now Marlboro’s "turn" to endure involuntary redistricting of its high school students.
The petition claims the board’s decision to redistrict was arbitrary and capricious.
The petition filed by Marlboro requests judgment from the commissioner for an order declaring that the FRHSD’s redistricting plan is arbitrary and capricious; the cost of attorney fees; and other relief to which Marlboro may be entitled.
A second petition was filed by attorney Allan Weinberg, representing Matthew Weinberg, a Marlboro school district student, and his parent, Robin Weinberg. The petition states that the student intended to go to Marlboro High School and that the FRHSD took redistricting action that will prevent the child from doing that Weinberg Community school to sponsor GED workshop
The Lakewood Community School will sponsor a General Educational Development (GED) orientation and practice workshop at Lakewood High School on Monday, Jan. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Learning specialists will help adults decide whether additional study is necessary for all five tests or just a few areas of the test. Preregistration is required. GED preparation classes for math, language arts, science and social studies are scheduled to commence on Feb. 10. For registration information, call (732) 905-3685 or visit www.lakewood.k12.nj.us online.