Schundler: Regionalization Not Moving

The state’s plan to propose regionalized school districts to voters this fall, a centerpiece of 2007 legislation, is effectively on hold, Commissioner of Education Bret Schundler told local school officials gathered for NJSBA’s southern New Jersey Town Hall meeting at Glassboro High School on Saturday.

If the Legislature wants the plan to go forward, it will have to fund studies into the financial and educational feasibility of proposed regionalization configurations as specified by the 2007 law, according to Schundler.

The commissioner expressed a belief that cost savings would be found in sharing administrative and other services, rather than merging school districts and eliminating local school boards, which are unpaid. He noted, however, that the administration would be supportive of locally initiated proposals which studies show would result in efficiency.

Schundler’s comments came in response to a question from program moderator Ray Pinney, NJSBA member outreach coordinator.

The major obstacle facing implementation of the 2007 law, according to Schundler, has been the lack of state funding for feasibility studies. He said he will propose to the Legislature that it change direction on regionalization. However, if the lawmakers want to go forward with the current plan, they will have to provide money to pay for feasibility studies.

Under the 2007 act, the state’s executive county superintendents were to develop various regionalization configurations—with an emphasis on merging elementary-only and secondary-only districts into kindergarten through 12th grade systems. Proposals, supported by feasibility studies, were to have been submitted for review to the state Department of Education this past March. Regionalization plans would be submitted to voters of impacted communities in September.

From RTTT to Toolkit Much of the Town Hall discussion centered on the state’s proposed Race to the Top grant application, particularly education reform initiatives, such as tenure and seniority reform, that would be implemented if New Jersey receives the federal funding. Also discussed was the state’s Alternative High School Assessment. Schundler referenced an appeal process that, under special circumstances, would allow a student unable to pass the alternate graduation exam to have a portfolio of his work reviewed by a panel at the state Department of Education.

Schundler also addressed Governor Christie’s proposed “toolkit” bills designed to help local government and school districts control costs, including the Cap 2.5 proposed constitutional amendment.

NJSBA has posted online a video of the May 22 Town Hall meeting. The video can also be accessed through NJSBA’s School Leader Connect site.

Left to right, at NJSBA’s May 22 Town Hall meeting, were Raymond R. Wiss, NJSBA president; Marie S. Bilik, NJSBA executive director; Education Commissioner Bret Schundler; and Donald T. Webster Jr., NJSBA vice president for finance.

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