Warren Schools Discuss Regionalization, Consolidation Study

WARREN, NJ — As legislation moves forward that looks to regionalize and consolidate school districts in New Jersey, including in Warren, township school officials are not sold on the idea.

On Tuesday, March 9 the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation, S-3488, to help start the process of creating K-12 regional and countywide school districts in an effort to improve educational quality and efficiency. Read More: NJ Advances School Consolidation Plan: Here's What This Means

The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Senate President Steve Sweeney and Sens. Vin Gopal and Declan O'Scanlon, would help create enhanced learning opportunities "that come from attending a K-12 or countywide district," said Sweeney. Consolidation will be voluntary, he said.

The Warren Township Board of Education began discussing a request from the Watchung Hills Regional High School Board of Education about entering into a regionalization/consolidation study at its March 1 meeting.

"Let's be clear. We are not talking about merging districts we are talking about whether we want to or not participate in this study itself. From my perspective, if the state is paying for the study, whether or not we have any interest — and I will tell you personally I do not have any interest of a regionalization of Warren Township Schools — but we would be remiss to not be involved in the process," said Board President Marc Franco.

Franco noted if Warren did not participate in the study the process could then be controlled by the Watchung Hills Regional Board as well as Green Brook, Watchung and Long Hill school boards.

"If we get ourselves involved then we would contribute members to a committee and be part of the regionalization process," said Franco.

However, Franco and the board were concerned with the amount of time needed to participate in the study particularly while the board is trying to get students back to school full-time amid the pandemic.

"I am worried this takes time away from getting kids back in school. We need every resource possible to get every kid back in school from K through 8," said board member Todd Weinstein.

Overall, the board did not make a decision on the study yet and will continue discussions.

"The Board will follow the legislation as it makes its way through the legislative process and any impact it could have on whether it decides to participate in a consolidation/regionalization study," said Warren Superintendent Dr. Matthew Mingle.

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