By Matthew Sockol
Staff Writer
MILLSTONE – Although the Millstone Township K-8 School District has seen a decline in enrollment, one of its three schools will not be closed in the immediate future.
The announcement that the Millstone Township Elementary School will not be closed was made by Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder at a Board of Education meeting on March 27.
The elementary school is one of the district’s three schools and the oldest building. The other buildings are the Millstone Township Primary School and the Millstone Township Middle School.
Pupils in pre-kindergarten through second grade attend the primary school. Pupils in grades three through five attend the elementary school. Pupils in grades six through eight attend the middle school.
In early March, a committee was formed to explore the fiscal impact of declining enrollment and the potential closing of the elementary school.
Members of the committee included Feder, Board of Education President Salvatore Casale, board member John Sico, district administrators, faculty and staff members, and more than 15 residents.
According to Casale, the committee recommended keeping the three schools open at its first meeting, citing a growing need for classrooms. Additionally, he said the committee determined that a school would not be closed long enough to save money if it had to reopen.
“The numbers no longer work for closing the building without potentially being overcrowded very quickly,” Feder said.
Information provided by district administrators indicates that enrollment has been declining for at least the past five school years.
By the end of the 2011-12 school year, the K-8 enrollment was 1,426 pupils; by the end of 2012-13, the enrollment was 1,324; by the end of 2013-14, the enrollment was 1,261; by the end of 2014-15, the enrollment was 1,165; and by the end of 2015-16, the enrollment was 1,123.
Feder said the K-8 enrollment for 2016-17 is slightly under 1,100 pupils.
While total enrollment has decreased, Casale and Feder said the district’s kindergarten enrollment is increasing.
By the end of the 2015-16 school year, kindergarten enrollment had increased from 74 pupils in 2014-15 to 78 pupils.
“Since the number of vacant bedrooms in town remains fairly flat, meaning Millstone has the capacity to house more children, there is a chance these bedrooms could fill up again as they did years back,” Casale said.
“Anecdotally, the committee heard from a real estate agent about an increase in demand for Millstone housing. People from surrounding areas such as Monroe Township seem to be looking for a little property tax relief and quality of life improvements to escape development,” he said.
According to Casale, the committee shifted focus in subsequent meetings to develop ideas in which the district’s space can be monetized in a way that is appropriate and works for all Millstone residents.
In other business, the board is moving forward with its search for a new superintendent. Feder will leave at the end of the school year to become superintendent of the South Brunswick School District in Middlesex County.
Board member Margaret Gordon said the panel is seeking a superintendent who will improve education for students, have experience in budgeting and maintain a strong relationship with the board and members of the public.
“We want to take what we already have and improve it,” Gordon said.
In a letter to parents dated March 28, Casale and board Vice President Melissa Riviello said 32 candidates had applied for the superintendent’s position.
Board members said candidate interviews will be held this month with a goal of appointing a new superintendent prior to Feder’s departure.
“It is our hope that finalists will once again meet with the board in early May and that an offer will be made to our next superintendent of schools shortly thereafter,” Casale and Riviello said in the letter.
If the board does not believe a new superintendent will be hired by July 1, an interim superintendent will be appointed, according to the letter.