Regionalization
not realistic here
To the editor:
The Beacon of Nov. 17 included a letter from a concerned West Amwell taxpayer, suggesting the local school boards consider consolidating into a single regionalized school district.
At first glance, such an arrangement would seem to have fiscal and educational advantages over the current multi-district model.
However, as a result of a joint study this past year, the local boards determined that consolidation was not realistic, and there are alternatives that can achieve the same benefits with significantly less effort and cost.
With the support of the Hunterdon County School Board Association as well as Department of Education representatives, the boards determined to move forward with sharing services, staff, buildings and expanding the development of a K-12.
Some regionalization facts to consider. If the local schools unified under a regionalized model, a single board would govern all district schools, however, the board apportionment would be based on overall population not student population.
With Lambertville having the highest overall population, a district-wide board would be composed of five Lambertville, three West Amwell and one Stockton member.
However, since funding for educating our children is primarily based on student population, West Amwell would likely bear the greatest tax burden as it has the highest student population.
Each of the three elementary school superintendents plays a dual role as a principal. Under a regional model, with a single district superintendent, each school would then need its own principal.
Lastly, each school municipality currently regulates and negotiates their local teacher salary guides. Under a regional model, a single common salary structure would be employed that would likely result in increased costs at the elementary level in order to be consistent with the high school salary guide.
The concept of regionalization is frequently raised as a means to enable more effective education, to be more efficient and less costly to the community taxpayers. Boards of education have collectively explored this potential option on several occasions over the years.
In their most recent investigation that concluded in February, the four boards engaged the Hunterdon County School Board Association as well as representatives from the New Jersey Department of Education in a fact-finding effort to consider financial and educational advantages and challenges associated with regionalization.
For example, educational advantages that might be achieved included more efficient use of existing facilities, more efficient use of special education programs and services, development of a K-12 curriculum, increased opportunities for extra-curricular activities, such as athletic, intramurals and clubs.
There were, however, numerous questions raised regarding the true benefits of regionalization on the taxes in the municipalities as well as the level of state funding, which might be realized by regionalized districts. Unfortunately, for reasons too lengthy to cover here, state funding would likely decrease if the districts were consolidated.
In addition, it was concluded the overall cost of education would potentially increase due to several factors.
In order to determine an appropriate course of action, all parties agreed a Department of Education lead feasibility study would be necessary, focusing primarily on the financial aspect of consolidation. However, the substantial cost of such a study would have been the responsibility of our municipalities to fund, which the boards did not feel was an appropriate burden for taxpayers to bear.
Given that, it was, therefore, the general consensus that pursuing regionalization was not an effective approach at this time. Instead, it was agreed further expanding shared services opportunities, enhancing the coordination of curriculum development and articulation and, implementing joint initiatives for staff development continues to be the best strategy to improve the quality of education for all students as well as maintain cost containment.
That position was welcomed by the Hunterdon County School Board Association as well as the Department of Education representatives.
West Amwell
‘Taste Lambertville’
kicked off holidays
To the editor:
Lambertville has kicked off the holiday shopping season with "A Taste of Lambertville," held Friday, Nov. 18.
Showcasing merchants, restaurants, bed and breakfasts and businesses, the event was a huge success due to the generosity of the participants.
Restaurants and caterers included 49 North Main Restaurant, Andiamo, Baker’s Treat, Café Galleria, DeAnna’s, Guiseppe’s Ristorante & Pizza Bar, Hamilton’s Grill, Homestead Farm Markets, Inn of the Hawke, Rick’s, Errico’s, Milford Oyster House, Lambertville Station, The Sneaky Caterer, Triumph Brewery and wonderful chocolates from The Chocolate Box.
Silent auction items and gift certificates were donated by Finkle’s, Tony Lasalle Gallery, Lambertville Antiques and Decorative Arts, Orchard Hill, June’s Antiques, Coda, Lambertville Trading Co., Anton’s at the Swan, Goldsmith’s, Lambertville Gallery of Fine Art, Dimitri Designs, Broadmoor Antiques, Haas Gallery and Woolverton Inn.
Also, Hydrangea Home Design, Reinboth, Andiamo, Events in Style, Champak Gallery, The Painted Critter, No. 63, Pedersen Gallery, Sojourner, Le Week-End, Lisa James Otto, JWS Computers, Inc., Alba Home Furnishings and Interior Design and Artfull Eye.
Also, Lambertville House, Chimney Hill Estate Bed & Breakfast, Roxey Ballet, Mix Gallery, Joseph Hanley Antiques, Lovrinic Antiques, Antiques on Union, Christyl Cusworth Painting Conservator, Peter Wallace Ltd., Zanya Salon & Spa, Monkey Hill, Pine Creek Miniature Golf, The Silver Solution at The People’s Store and House of Messina Design.
Also, John Zerre Building, The People’s Store, Millcrest Antiques, Pink Daisy Design, George Evans Ltd., Coryell Gallery at The Porkyard, Dresswell’s, Hotel du Village, Acorn Designs, Greene & Greene, The Martin Coryell House Bed & Breakfast, Heritage Lighting and Twenty Five LLC.
Special thanks as well to Munds Garden Center for providing beautiful displays of trees, shrubs and decorative greens throughout Prallsville Mills, which complimented the distinctive ambience of the historic building.
Thanks to Adam Welsh of Welsh’s Fine Wines and to Barbara and Phil Faherty of Walker’s Wine & Spirits for volunteering their services as event bartenders and who provided wine for A Taste of Lambertville as well as Triumph Brewery.
I know everyone enjoyed the live music of Chameleon.
None of this would have been possible without the time and efforts of our volunteers, Valerie Bisdale of No. 63, Amy Coss and Elsie Coss of Sojourner, Sue Flynn of Events in Style, Mary and Rich Freedman of the Martin Coryell House, Judy Henn of Lambertville Antiques & Decorative Arts, Bruce and Jobert from Monkey Hill, Tish and Dennis Secula, Cindy Shoemaker of No. 63, Maryann Sterbinsky, Lisa and Dan Worden of the Peoples Store, Lambertville Antiques & Decorative Arts and Oxford Communications.
Last, but not least, a big thank you to Edie Sharp at the Delaware River Mill Society for all her assistance.
president
Lambertville Area Chamber
of Commerce

