Merging New Jersey school districts to undergo feasibility study

WARREN, N.J. (PIX11) —  With nearly 1,700 students coming from four different K-8 districts, all converging into one Regional High School, the word ‘merge’ has come up countless times for leaders at Watchung Hills in Somerset County.

“Right now we have five Boards of Education, five different administrative structures,” said High School District Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Jewett.  “While each district has its own aspects that make it unique and special, it also does make it sometimes difficult when all of these students are coming to one high school and they’ve all had four different experiences.”

They’re about to learn more about whether merging is right for them after receiving a more than $130,000 grant for a study. They’re one of five school districts across the state to receive grant money from the State Department of Community Affairs.

Officials say the feasibility study will help them determine whether merging with another district would benefit them from an educational and financial standpoint, all without taxpayers footing a bill.

“We are going to have a community forum in the fall to speak a little bit more to our community at large about the aspects of the regionalization study and what it means,” said Jewett.

Jonathan Pushman of the New Jersey School Boards Association says there are a number of reasons why school districts look to merge.

“One, you could see a district that’s experiencing a decline in enrollment,” said Pushman, “and so you’re not able to maintain the same level of programs and services for the students that you serve. There’s also the potential of maybe reducing administrative costs.”

Pushman says merging does not always lead to cost savings or educational benefits. He says it’s up to districts to figure out what’s best for them.

“I think what we always want our members to concentrate on first and foremost is what would be best for the students,” said Pushman.

Watchung Hills school officials say they hope to have their study completed in the Spring.

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