5 Districts Could Become 1: Central Regional To Study Merging

BERKELEY, NJ — Students from Berkeley Township, Ocean Gate, Seaside Heights, Seaside Park and Island Heights all attend the Central Regional School District starting in the seventh grade, and each of these towns has their own school district for preschool or kindergarten through sixth grade. But this may not always be the case, as Central Regional is exploring combining all of these districts into one.

Central Regional was recently awarded a $130,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to explore merging districts, the state announced.

District officials tell Patch that they will be exploring the feasibility of combining all districts into one K through 12 district. This same thing recently happened in Monmouth County with the Henry Hudson Regional School District. There, the regional district merged with two elementary schools - Atlantic Highlands Elementary and Highlands Elementary - to save money and streamline operations. It was the first time this had happened in New Jersey.

The study will look into things like demographics, building capacity, tax levy apportionments, curriculum and busing, officials said.

“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.”