Survey Coming In 'Reimagining' Of Cranford Schools

CRANFORD, NJ - The next step of the 'reimagining' process for the Cranford School District is a survey being sent home via a postcard on April 26, according to Superintendent Scott Rubin.

According to Rubin, the District contracted with a third party company, Qualtrics, to help design a survey to obtain the community's thoughts on the proposed plans. On or about April 26, 2019, a postcard from the District, explaining how to access the survey, will be sent to every household in Cranford where at least one registered voter resides. There will be one survey submission per household, Rubin said.

For the past several months the Cranford School District has been holding meetings with the community to highlight 10 proposed plans for the future of the Cranford schools. The plans vary in scope and tax impact and include variations on adding bussing, full-day kindergarten and possible redistricting. Despite the numerous meetings held, Rubin said more detailed information on the plans will soon be added to online.

"We have received requests to make information about the proposals more easily accessible on the District’s website. As a result, we have been working over the past couple of weeks to redesign the Reimagining portion of the website and will unveil the new look on April 23," Rubin said. "Please visit the website at that time to explore details of the proposals, including why we are having this conversation, FAQs, estimated tax impact, proposed rezoning maps, etc."

A few days after the site update, residents will get their chance to give feedback via the survey.

"The postcard will also contain a contact number should anyone need technical assistance, including if one needs to fill out a hard copy of the survey or if one has any additional questions and/or concerns," Rubin said.

Rubin noted the Board of Education office, located at Lincoln Avenue School, will be open from 3 through 8 p.m. on the following dates, should anyone need computer access and/or assistance:

• May 1
• May 2
• May 7
• May 9

The survey will close on Monday, May 13.

Additionally, Board members will hold coffee and conversation meetings on the following dates for anyone who would like to engage in further dialogue about the initiative:

• Tuesday, April 23, 6-8 p.m. - Cafe Teasia
• Thursday, April 25, 5-7 p.m. - Track 5
• Tuesday, April 30, 6-8 p.m. - Cafe Teasia
• Thursday, May 2, 5-7 p.m. - Track 5

Rubin noted that in addition to the coffee and conversation dates, members are available to answer questions via email:

• Kurt Petschow, Board President: petschow@cranfordschools.org
• Lisa Carbone, Board Vice-President: carbone.lisa@cranfordschools.org
• Terry Darling: darling@cranfordschools.org
• William Hulse: hulse@cranfordschools.org
• Maria Loikith: loikith@cranfordschools.org
• Patrick Lynch: lynch@cranfordschools.org
• Kristen Mallon: mallon@cranfordschools.org
• Brian McCarthy: mccarthy@cranfordschools.org
• Nicole Sherrin Kessler: sherrin.kessler@cranfordschools.org

According to Rubin, the survey results will be shared with the community in the near future and will help guide any potential next steps.

"Over the past several months, the District has been engaging the community in conversation about potentially reimagining the Cranford Public School System," Rubin said. "While we are very excited about the possibility of enhancing our school system and providing greater benefits to students, the District will not move forward with any plan, unless it is supported by the community. Therefore, we need your feedback to guide any potential next steps."

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