State Gives Parents Power to Choose School Districts

A state bill allowing parents to send their children to public schools outside of school district boundaries was discussed at the Board of Education meeting Monday. 

Passed earlier this month, the legislation also requires that local school districts pick up the tab on student transportation costs if the individual opts to attend another public school located up to 20 miles away.

"(The bill) will impact the district and the taxpayers sending students," Gayle Carrick said in an e-mailed response. It's unclear what it will cost taxpayers at this time.

The bill also reestablishes the Interdistrict Public School Choice Program, a former pilot project that ran from 2000 to 2005. During the pilot, students were allowed to migrate to designated "choice" schools from other districts.

The 2010 program works in a similar fashion. To be considered as a "choice" educational destination and accept out-of-district students, the Cranford Board of Education must apply to the state by submitting an application to the Education Commissioner. The "choice" schools will also benefit financially by receiving state aid.

Cranford board members don't anticipate making a decision just yet on whether to apply, as the BOE has not received any feedback from the New Jersey government on how to proceed, Gayle Carrick said, Cranford Superintendent of Schools.

Viewpoints

Many board members agreed that the program was created as monetary motivation for schools without a significant student population.

"It was created as a financial incentive for districts who have space," Business Administrator Robert Carfagno said.

In a phone interview, board member Mary Catherine Sudiak synched with Carfagno.

"When the legislature first put the legislation together as a pilot program, one of the reasons for that (was to)  assist schools that may be losing student population," she said.

Both agree the legislation is not targeted toward districts like Cranford, which has classrooms brimming with students. Therefore it's not likely Cranford will seek to become part of it.

Carrick agreed with Sudiak and Carfagno in an e-mailed response.

"Our school's enrollments are high now – that would be a concern and reason to opt out," she said.