Student Placement At Basking Ridge Schools Will Not Be Impacted In 2025-26

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — There are no changes planned for students attending school in Bernards Township for the upcoming 2025-26 school year. However, there is still a possibility that students in the future could be moved to different schools due to rising student enrollment.

At Monday's meeting, the Bernards Township Board of Education(BOE) approved the second and final reading of revised Policy 5120 – Assignment of Students which will essentially allow the Superintendent to assign incoming new students in the Cedar Hill zone to Oak Street school "if it was necessary for reasons of schedule, class sizes, balancing the number of sections so that we can provide specials to the students in an efficient manner."

The policy was first introduced at the July 28 meeting.

"We did not need to exercise that, so all of the students currently residing in the section of town are all being enrolled in Cedar Hill for the fall," said Markarian at the Aug. 25 BOE meeting. "I think it's a good start to take a look at that policy in regard to student placement and something that we’re going to have to monitor and might need to use in the future."

Specifically, Markarian pointed toward plans in the Township for new housing buildings to be constructed on the southwest part of town, "which could necessitate a need for some more flexibility in the placement of students."

In May, the Township Committee approved its plan to meet its required New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) fourth-round affordable housing obligation. The plan included replacing the Westgate Village Mixed Use Senior Overlay Zone within the E-3 Zone with the Westgate Village Mixed Use Zone. The zone would specifically change the zone to include family inclusionary housing, which means it is a mix of market and affordable housing units.

"We need to take a look at that as we get the numbers from the Town when those plans are finalized in respect to bedrooms and counts of units and all that," said Markarian.

Board member Robin McKeon noted that it was recommended by the Demographer to wait until he submits his new report.

"Yes, he recommended waiting until we had more details about the construction plans, specifically if they will be the kinds of units that attract families," said Markarian. "Obviously, that makes a difference in his calculator regarding how many students might enroll in the school. He did suggest waiting until we have that information, but that could be sometime this year."

Previous Reporting:

• Rising Enrollment Could Shift Where Students Attend Schools In Basking Ridge

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