$130K Grant Awarded To Central Regional To Study Merging Districts

BERKELEY, NJ — The Central Regional School District is the recipient of a $130,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to explore merging districts, the state announced in a news release.

The School Regionalization Efficiency Program (SREP) grants are intended to offset the costs associated with conducting feasibility studies that explore the potential advantages of school district regionalization or consolidation.

“This funding for these studies allows our nation leading public school districts to examine ways in which to reduce costs while maintaining the same level of academic excellence of our students,” Acting Governor Tahesha Way said in a news release. “Our Administration will continue to prioritize New Jersey school systems to ensure students excel in the classroom and achieve their academic goals.”

According to the DCA, priority was given to school districts that applied for grant funding to study opportunities for K-12 regionalization and countywide school district consolidation.

Earlier this year, the Central Regional Board of Education approved a feasibility study on the merger of the district with the Ocean Gate School District to form a singular pre-K through 12 district.

While officials from Central and Ocean Gate were the ones interested in combining, any of the other sending towns (Island Heights, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and home district Berkeley) were invited to join. Read more: Central Regional, Ocean Gate School District Could Combine

Seaside Heights is also exploring sharing services with the Berkeley Township School District, after voters rejected a potential merger with the Toms River Regional School District. That failed merger also came as a result of a feasibility study.

The feasibility studies will evaluate factors such as enrollment, facility utilization, existing send/receive relationships, administrative staffing, class size, diversity enhancement, debt and contractual obligations, faculty needs and attrition, among others.

“The School Regionalization Efficiency Program (SREP) is an outside-the-box approach to providing new educational opportunities in our schools as well as developing innovative ways to achieve cost savings and efficiencies, ultimately benefiting both students and taxpayers,” said Acting Commissioner of Education Kevin Dehmer. “Through these grants, this double win is a significant step towards enhancing our educational system and provides practical experience for other districts that may be considering regionalization.”