Livingston Schools Grapple With Space As K-5 Enrollment Rises By 106 Students

LIVINGSTON, NJ — When Livingston schools reopen in September, there will be several new faces in the halls as enrollment grows.

School officials said in a presentation at at Board of Education meeting last Tuesday that while there are concerns about district crowding, they've been able to maintain reasonable class sizes.

A presentation at the Aug. 16 meeting said that the K-5 elementary schools in Livingston will have 106 more students in 2022-2023 than the previous year.

The total enrollment in K-5 for the coming school year will be 2,598. In 2021-2022 it was 2,446. That year represented a decrease from pandemic year 2019-2020, when there were 2,525.

This year, Livingston High School will have 80 more students than last year.

But the administration anticipates that they will be able to take the classes they want.

"High enrollment, and lack of extra space in our schools have created challenges to placing students," officials wrote in the presentation. "We are not able to provide additional sections, mostly due to space issues. Nonetheless, our class sizes at all levels are reasonable overall (at, under, or close to guidelines). We continue to grow, yet we remain focused on prioritizing a positive and personalized learning environment."

They added, "Based on high enrollment, some 'soft bordering' has taken place, and will likely need to continue at the elementary level. As more students enroll, they will be placed where there is space. Transportation factors into these assignments."

The Effects Of Development

Officials said that most K-5 classes will maintain an average of 21 students.

They also said that they believe that at the high school level, any wait lists for classes in certain subjects will be cleared this fall, and all kids are likely to get the subjects they want.

The district said that two developments had added some students.

"84 students registered from two new developments over the past three years," officials wrote. "49 students over the past few years from new development of homes on West Orange border. More development to come."

Get more information about the Board of Education here.

Read about the current school calendar and upcoming holidays here.