MANSFIELD: Doubts surface about School Choice designation

By Amber Cox
   MANSFIELD — Northern Burlington County Regional School District was one of 56 districts approved in April to be an Interdistrict Public School Choice after applying to get more out-of district students involved in its Agriscience program, but after learning more details, doubts have arisen.
   The program was signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in 2010 and will begin in the next year.
   The (school choice) program is designed providing students with the option of attending a public school outside their district of residence without cost to their parents, according to the program’s website.
   Transportation for up to 20 miles will be provided for students going to a choice school. Outside of 20 miles the responsibility falls on the student, parents or guardians.
   Choice schools set a number of openings available per grade level and if more students request to enter the school then there are spots, they will be chosen by a lottery. The district would allow six students per grade level, seventh through 11th, to enter the district.
   Superintendent James Sarruda said the district has already received a number of applications and it is likely that grades seven and nine would have the maximum six students.
   ”Any student currently attending New Jersey public schools is eligible to take advantage of this program,” according to the website.
   The board agreed to apply saying that offering the Agriscience program as a choice program increases and expands the exposure for potential future farmers to the agriscience community and to the science, business and technology of farming in the 21st century.
   The school board still has to approve allowing the district to be a school choice. A to vote on approval is set for the May 9 meeting.
   School board member Marie Goodwin said she is originally thought the program was a good idea but is not convinced either way after learning more about it, and will probably vote no on the resolution.
   Ms. Goodwin said she is worried that students that just want out of their district will apply to come to Northern without any real interest in the Agriscience program, just to get out of their own district. Northern Burlington would then be, essentially, stuck with those students.
   Dr. Sarruda said a lot of issues may arise from the program and in his opinion, the Department of Education is still unsure how to govern the program properly.
   ”One of the first (issues) that’s come to the state Department of Education was the concept of regulating your application where if a students opts out of the Agriscience program, our application was that, that student would be sent back to his or her district,” he said. “The state has directed all of the schools that had specific magnet programs, that you need to keep the student in the district.”
   However, it is unclear how long the student will have to stay in the district, whether it would be for the rest of that school year or the rest of their high school career.
   ”I know that the school district still has the option to shut it down,” Dr. Sarruda said.
   He also included that funding won’t be an issue. The first year there is no funding for school choice districts.
   ”I don’t see an additional cost to the board,” Dr. Sarruda said. “I don’t think the issue is finances.
   However board member Michael Crawford said it might help the Agriscience program to have more students come into the district.
   ”It’s hard to say how the program is going to work, until you let it work,” he said.
   Assistant Superintendent Kathy McCormick said she looks at the program as a positive experience.
   ”The teachers are excited,” she said. “We want to be a spot on the map for agriculture.”