Regionalization: A Resolution … Finally

The resolution to ask the Commissioner of Education if a question on regionalization can be put on the November ballot, an essential step in the entire process,  is on the agenda for Thursday night’s meeting of the Mayor and Council, paving the way for a possible question that could determine a new PreK-12 school district including Highlands, Atlantic Highlands and Sea Bright.

Approval by a majority on council Thursday night will mean the three towns can now take the necessary step before regionalization can even be a possibility, a regional district that would create one nine member board of education instead of the current three, and would include Sea Bright’s students in the district.

Both Highlands and Sea Bright had approved resolutions several months ago, but could not get any decision from the Commissioner without all three towns agreeing to have the question on the ballot. It is now up to the Commissioner to determine if the proposed K-12 idea is feasible after she reviews the studies that have been done on the proposal.

Should the Commissioner agree the question should be put to a vote of the people of the three towns, the councils would then have until Aug. 14 to decide the specific question in order to get it on the state ballot in November. Should they miss that deadline, the regionalization could still be on a ballot in a special election in either January or March; however, special elections are more costly and generally draw fewer voters.

Currently Sea Bright has no school in that borough but is a member of the consolidated Oceanport School District for its K-8 students, and a member of the limited purposes Shore Regional High School district for its 9-12 grade students.  Its resolution, adopted by unanimous vote of the Mayor and Council,   requested the question on the ballot based on the reports from several studies that analyzed financial, demographic and education impacts of regionalizing K-12 and removing the borough from Oceanport and Shore Regional districts. Those reports concluded such the new regionalization would present distinct advantages for students Sea Bright, Highlands and Atlantic Highlands, would have the best opportunity to put in place characteristics of successful schools and would respond to challenges to bring greater diversity to the schools. The studies also showed that increased financial resources from Sea Bright would enable the regional district to provide greater investments in education resources, programs and services while providing long-term tax savings to Sea Bright.

The Highlands resolution, also adopted unanimously by the voting members of the Highlands Mayor and Council, was similar to Sea Bright’s resolution and cited the same studies and analyses by professionals and the recommendation from the consultants  as well as the financial demographic and educational advantages of a new PreK-12 district.

A state law that went into effect in January made it possible for Sea Bright to request release from tis Oceanport and Shore Regional obligations and seek a more equitable educational program in a new regional district.

The Atlantic Highlands resolution on the agenda  or Thursday  also cites the recommendations of the Porzio report done by the three boroughs, but also notes the report conducted by the Tri-District district and released last month. That resolution notes the tri district study agrees with the Porzio study and the recommendation that the regionalization be advanced as soon as possible. The resolution notes the study demonstrates the potential for improved efficiency and cost savings, as well as advancing an enhanced learning environment for the district, coordinating curriculum across schools and grades, and reflects a commitment from the affected current boards of education to make good faith efforts to implement practices that promote efficiency and education quality. The resolution recognizes that passage of the question in November would eliminate the current schools districts in creating the expansion of Henry Hudson to a PK-12 All Purpose Regional School District with the other two towns.

Mayor Loretta Gluckstein had indicated at the last meeting of the local Mayor and Council , that while the resolution was not at that meeting as anticipated, it is definitely on the agenda as a resolution for a vote at Thursdays meeting.

The proposed resolution is printed in full on the official AHNJ.com, webpage under agendas.