Barnegat Schools To Form Reconfiguration Subcommittees

Parents can apply to subcommittees regarding the Barnegat school district's controversial reconfiguration plan. Interested parties must email onebarnegat@barnegatschools.com by March 26 to apply.

Individuals will not be selected for more than one committee, according to a Wednesday announcement to Barnegat families. But to increase your likelihood of selection to a committee, you can apply to more than one.

Committees include the following:

• Transportation
• Equity & Resources
• Promotions, Transitions & Social/Emotional Well-being
• Athletics & Extracurricular Activities
• Intermediate Schoo (Grades 5 & 6)
• Middle School (Grades 7 & 8)

Read more: Barnegat School Redistricting Plan Causing Parental Concerns

The reconfiguration plan would result in the four elementary schools housing two grades, rather than continuing as K-5 buildings. Other effects would include the following:

• The Cecil S. Collins School would house Pre-K and kindergarten.
• First- and second-graders would attend the Joseph T. Donohue School.
• The Lillian M. Dunfee School would encompass third and fourth grade.
• Fifth- and sixth-graders would attend the Robert Horbelt School.
• The Russell O. Brackman School Middle School would hold seventh- and eighth-graders, instead of Grades 6 and 7, effectively becoming a junior high.

"While we understand this model creates more transitions for the students and eliminates singular school communities, the benefits to this new structure far outweigh the setbacks," Superintendent Brian Latwis wrote in a letter to parents. "By creating five two-year grade spans, we are eliminating the 'middle school' and the anxiety that goes with it. Now, it is the next paw up."

The redistricting plan has caused concern among many local parents. An online petition called "SAY NO TO THE REDISTRICTING OF THE BARNEGAT SCHOOL SYSTEM" has 962 supporters as of Thursday morning.