Survey Says: 'Reimagine' Cranford School Options Down To Two

CRANFORD, NJ - The Reimagining Cranford Public Schools survey has winnowed the 10 proposed options down to two, with an approximately $19 million difference between the two.

The community favored proposals 10 and eight. Proposal 10 handles facilities upgrades and adds full-day kindergarten and has a price tag of around $15 million. Proposal 8 has a $34 million dollar price tag that has construction, retains the two middle schools and local elementary schools, and adds full-day kindergarten.

"As you know, we started the conversation with the community approximately seven months ago and it has been a collaborative process, shaped largely by the community, as it should be. We have held several meetings, provided many presentations, and engaged in dialogue about what we as a community may want to do to enhance the school district. This initial conversation culminated in a survey which ended last week. I am glad this is the pathway we took," Superintendent Scott Rubin said. "There are over 50 Districts that went out for a referendum within the past year and my understanding is that only one district administered a survey to get public opinion in advance of a referendum. We are representatives and it is so important that we collaborate and partner with the community and we greatly appreciate all who have engaged in this conversation."

Rubin said the district is currently working with Qualtrics to analyze the data and they will provide a link to send out the results to the community sometime in June.

In the interim, Rubin provided some of the preliminary takeaways:

• 1,937 participants completed the survey.
• Data will need to be scrubbed for duplications, but at the moment, it looks like there are no more than about 92 duplicates.
• Those with more than one submission from an individual household will be contacted to find out which submission should be counted.

Rubin noted that the proposed enhancements received a lot of support from the community and citizens would like to vote on these proposed enhancements separately from any potential plan:

• Update science labs (CHS)
• Modernize library/multi-media centers to support 21st Century STEM programs
• Upgrade technology
• Enhance performing arts spaces
• Enhance accessibility options
• Install AC in gyms, cafeterias, and performing arts spaces
• Upgrade electrical service (all schools except for WAS which has already been upgraded)
• Replace interior doors including hardware
• Paving, masonry and concrete repairs
• Window replacements

Rubin noted that Plan Eight includes full-day kindergarten, adds appropriate educational support spaces, four K-5 schools, and two dedicated 6-8 middle schools, one on each side of town. He said that Plan 10 keep schools as they are currently zoned, adds full-day kindergarten, and adds appropriate educational support spaces.

"Both of these plans provide great benefits to the school system and neither of them includes additional busing," Rubin said.

As for the timeline, Rubin said that the data will be provided in June as will information on next steps.

"More takeaways will be evident once we have more time to look into the data. In June, it is likely that we will suggest getting a townwide committee involved in determining the next steps for these two supported proposed plans as well as the enhancements," Rubin said. "We look forward to continuing the conversation."

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