No school crowding in five-year forecast

Report says township, county and state birth rates are decreasing and in the past 18 months there have been no new developments or projects proposed in Hillsborough.

By: Donna Lukiw
   With hundreds of new houses ready to be built in the township, some members of the Board of Education have been concerned about overcrowded schools in the not-too-distant future.
   But the demographer hired by the district, Sarah Weissman, reassured the board during Monday’s meeting that there appears to be no need for extra classrooms — at least not before 2010.
   "I think her (Ms. Weissman’s) report was consistent with the report she gave 18 months ago," board member Ed Plaskon said. "In essence, it tells us the growth of enrollment is constant."
   Mr. Plaskon said the two most important points Ms. Weissman made in her report was that Hillsborough, Somerset County and New Jersey birth rates are decreasing and in the past 18 months there have been no new developments or projects proposed.
   Mr. Plaskon was concerned with how many more students were expected to enroll in the next five years and if the district will have to build or expand another school.
   According to Ms. Weissman’s projections, about 100 additional students are expected to enroll by 2010-2011.
   While many residents have also expressed their concerns about the building of new houses and condos in Hillsborough, several parents have spoken at board meetings about their worries that the incoming new students will increasing class sizes and schools will not having enough space to accommodate all of the students.
   According to Ms. Weissman, the Ttownship Pplanner reports 312 housing units in some stage of approval.
   She said the Regional Planning Partnership, a nonprofit land use coalition, reported 2,954 units were completed in Hillsborough between 1997 and 2000, during which time the district enrollment grew by 779.
   Ms. Weissman said that equals 0.26 student per housing unit.
   "Residential development is slowing down," Ms. Weissman said. "We see no more development in the immediate future than what you’ve seen in the recent past."
   Board member Steve Sloan said the Board of Education has 39 acres in the eastern part of town to be designated for possibly building another school.
   "Keep it," Ms. Weissman said. "Don’t build on it yet, but keep that land."
   Ms. Weissman’s comments calmed the board members concerns.
   Mr. Sloan said right now the time frame is five years and there doesn’t seem to be a need for a referendum for construction of more classrooms.
   "She (Ms. Weissman) feels we should keep the land for an elementary school," Mr. Sloan said WdnesdayWednesday. "I respect her advice with holding on the property."
   Ms. Weissman said the district has grown from 6,838 to 7,638 over the last four academic years.
   Statistics from past years and future projections can be found on the district Web site www.hillsborough.k12.nj.us.