School Consolidation Study Funds Still Up in the Air

On June 14, took place at Mendham High School, and saw 25 from Washington Township, the Chesters and Mendhams come together to discuss funding formulas and possible redistricting among the schools in the municipalities.

The topic of a feasibility study was brought up late in the meeting and the cost it would force upon the taxpayers within the five sending districts. The study would be used to disseminate details and demographic data essential in figuring out which direction the municipalities should take with regards to changes in funding, consolidation or dissolution. 

A feasibility study, according to members of the summit’s dais as well as Gina Genovese of Courage to Connect New Jersey, costs upwards of $50,000.

James Button, the Mendham Township representative to the West Morris Regional Board of Education, spoke to the panel–as a member of the audience–and said that he met with both Governor Chris Christie and acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf recently. Button said that after explaining the region’s situation to them, Cerf said, repeatedly, that he would “take care of” a feasibility study, if it came to that.

When asked what the statement actually meant, and if Cerf or the Department of Education was willing to pay for a feasibility study, DOE spokesman Alan Guenther said in an e-mail, “There is a process for mergers between districts, and the process is guided by the local executive county superintendent. The acting Commissioner will allow that process to work and will have no further comment.”

Morris County’s executive superintendent, Dr. Kathleen Serafino, would not comment on the situation.

Button did not respond to phone calls or e-mail messages regarding the statement he made at the education summit.

Another funding avenue

Gina Genovese, Executive Director for Courage to Connect New Jersey, an organization championing municipal consolidation in the state, has put out an offer to any group of municipalities looking to pursue the idea.

During the , Genovese said that if a group of municipalities–not just school districts–was willing to come together and have a feasibility study done regarding potential consolidation, Courage to Connect would pay for the assessment.

That consolidation possibility, though, would have to involve Washington Township, both Chesters and both Mendhams, in addition to all the school districts within–and spanning–each town.