There have been a few developments that make regionalization worth talking about again
Steve Wolock, Nicole Claus, Jim Gallagher and Cynthia H. Magill
Last fall, area school boards began to discuss regionalization — the unification of our local districts into a single K-12 school district serving students from Stockton, Lambertville, and West Amwell.
Discussions about regionalization have come up numerous times over the years, usually in response to two concerns: looking for ways to improve the educational integration between the four schools — Lambertville, Stockton, and West Amwell elementary schools and South Hunterdon Regional High School — and ways to make the most efficient use of tax dollars. Recently, there have been a few developments that make regionalization worth talking about again:
1. The four school districts have moved toward a more common curriculum as well as sharing teachers, transportation, administrators, and programs to make tax dollars go further. This success has shown the boards that there may be an opportunity to accomplish even more as a unified school district.
2. The New Jersey Department of Education (DOE), at the direction of the New Jersey state Legislature, is pressing for smaller districts to be combined. In fact, the DOE’s stated goal is to have all districts in New Jersey include kindergarten through grade 12. That would have a major impact on all four of our school districts. The boards felt it was more prudent to be proactive and explore our options, rather than wait and have our future determined by the state.
3. The process of regionalization requires a feasibility study to get a realistic understanding of the educational and financial benefits and disadvantages of regionalization. A professional firm must be hired to conduct the study. This can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The stumbling block to previous discussions about regionalization has been that the local school districts had to pay for the study from their regular budgets and the funds just weren’t available. Now, however, a state grant may be available to pay for the study.
4. The combination of the districts’ successful track record with sharing, the push from the state to make all school districts K-12, and the possibility that the South Hunterdon community can get a grant to pay for the feasibility study have re-ignited serious exploration of regionalization.
It is important to understand that we don’t have all of the answers yet. The feasibility study would look at enrollment data and projections, educational planning, fiscal information including the impact on property taxes, facilities, the effect of regionalization or consolidation on existing schools, legal considerations, and other areas. Once it has been completed, our communities would be able to make an informed decision that is best for both children and taxpayers.
Following are answers to some questions board members have been asked about the regionalization process over the past months:
• The school boards believe there would be improvements in the educational program for all of our students in all subject areas and at all grade levels through:
— The delivery of a unified and enhanced K-12 curriculum under a single administration.
— Structuring the educational program around the most advantageous use of facilities, teachers, and resources.
— The availability of more educational opportunities by being a somewhat larger (but still small by most standards) organization. For example, more grants may be available to a K-12 district. Also, with more students at each elementary grade level, we would be able to increase our extracurricular activities.
• How would regionalization affect property taxes?
This question cannot be answered at this time. The feasibility study would provide information about how property taxes would be affected in each community.
• What are the steps to regionalization?
Below is a general outline of the steps to regionalization. The actual steps may differ somewhat as the regionalization assessment proceeds.
1. The first step has already been taken. The four school boards have decided to explore regionalization to determine if it makes educational and financial sense for the South Hunterdon community.
2. Hold an informal fact-finding meeting with representatives from each school board and the executive county superintendent (ECS) to discuss the regionalization process and clarify any concerns or questions.
3. Each school board reviews the outcome of the fact-finding meeting at its regular monthly meeting.
4. The districts jointly apply for a grant from the state to offset the cost of the feasibility study. At present, this is where we are. The local boards are hopeful that we’ll hear whether a grant is available in the next few weeks. Without state funding, the regionalization process may not proceed, as the local school districts cannot afford to pay for the feasibility study from our annual budgets.
5. Hold a second meeting with the ECS to review the steps for the feasibility study.
6. Each board approves a resolution to proceed with the study.
7. An advisory committee is formed consisting of two board members and the superintendents from each district, as well as community representatives appointed by each board. The advisory board would work with the consulting firm that conducts the feasibility study. The study would look at enrollment data and projections, educational planning, fiscal information, facilities, effects on existing schools, legal considerations, public input and awareness, and a transitional budget. Other study areas may be added as needed.
8. The findings of the feasibility study would be reviewed by the advisory board. Depending on that review, the advisory board would provide recommendations to the four individual school boards.
9. If the four school boards agree to proceed, then the findings and recommendations would be presented to the ECS for review.
10. If the ECS approves the plan, it would be submitted to the NJ Department of Education for approvals and recommendations from the Departmental Review Committee (Board of Review).
11. If the Departmental Review Committee indicates the plan is feasible, it would forward a final report with recommendations to the assistant commissioner, Division of Field Services, NJ Department of Education for consideration.
12. If the commissioner approves, a special election would be held in the three communities.
13. If each community votes to approve the regionalization plan, the ECS would then appoint a transitional school board. The number of board members from each community would probably be similar to the current makeup of the South school board.
14. A new school board would be elected at the next scheduled annual school election.
• If we regionalize, where would my child go to school?
That would ultimately be determined by the administration of the newly formed school district. Regionalization would offer opportunities to structure the district in a way that is most advantageous to the education of all students. An evaluation of the current facilities would be part of the feasibility study.
• What happens if we don’t regionalize?
This is a question that cannot be answered with certainty at this time. The state may require us to regionalize in order to fulfill the Legislature’s goal of replacing small school districts with larger K-12 districts. In any case, the boards are committed to sharing services to make the best use of our tax dollars, while continuing to improve educational quality.
• Are there up-front overhead costs associated with regionalization?
Yes. A feasibility study can cost tens of thousands of dollars, although the boards have applied for a state grant to fund this study. We also anticipate that there will be additional transition costs, which will be detailed in the feasibility study.
Please stay tuned.
Steve Wolock,
Lambertville Board of Education;
Nicole Claus,
South Hunterdon Regional Board of Education;
Jim Gallagher,
Stockton Board of Education;
Cynthia H. Magill,
West Amwell Board of Education