Chester District Weighs in on Regional School Study

Mendham Borough and Mendham Township united on a request for proposal (RFP) last week on a study to break apart the West Morris Regional School District. They have now pushed their RFP to the governing body of Chester Borough and to the surrounding K-8 school boards for their input.

Chester Borough Mayor Bob Davis said his council would be taking on the issue at their August 6 meeting. There has been no timetable from the Mendham districts, but the Chester Consolidated School Board jumped in during Monday’s meeting.

“Mendham Borough and Mendham Township have continued the West Morris regional feasibility saga,” Chester Board President Kerri Wright said. 

“Mendham Township Committeeman Rob Strobel has asked us and the other K-8 boards to review the RFP. They are looking for input. Not to approve it and not to fund it at this point. They realize we have educational expertise and have asked for our input.”

Board member Mike Tomasco wanted to know a little bit more about how the process of dissolving the district would work.

“Is a change like this phased in or is it like a big bang?” Tomasco asked.

“It is all at once,” Wright said. “If we were to create a new one we would all dissolve on a specific date, and the new district would be formed on that date. The county superintendent would appoint a new board who would work on putting the new district together.”

Board vice-president Heather Ronco said that she was concerned about a change impacting students currently in the high schools. Ronco said she was concerned about accreditation and prestige currently afforded to the current school configuration being lost.

“I would hate to see certain students because of the grade they are in lose out,” Ronco said. 

Tomasco asked if there were any plans in the RFP to look at the two Mendham K-8 districts more closely. 

“I think the Mendhams should look at the K-8 combination. I think in the iterations of options it should be considered,” Tomasco said. “I think it is possible to gain some synergy there.”

Tomasco also took issue with the way in which Washington Township was being handled.

“They are also just throwing it over the fence to Washington Township and saying figure it out on your own and I don’t think its right,” Tomasco said

While Wright agreed that Washington Township would indeed be kicked out, there were benefits to being in that position. Wright also reminded the board that offering feedback on the RFP was not going to lock them into a position.

“If they actually move forward each community gets to decide what to do. The municipalities and the schools boards,” Wright said. “Three of the five municipalities have to agree on that option and three of the five school boards.”

Tomasco said he was concerned that the current version of the RFP didn’t focus on educational benefits such as curriculum.

“They are concerned about infrastructure but I don’t think we want to lose the momentum and technology,” Tomasco said. “We’re talking about Chester blazing a trail on the curriculum side of things. What would happen to all of that progress?”

Wright said she planned to add a suggestion that the RFP include a shared service component.

“If they don’t go forward with this and we are going to spend the public’s money on this there is something we can use,” Wright said. “We can get some insights on things we should be doing.” 

Wright said she planned to deliver the RFP feedback to Strobel taking into account the discussion at the meeting and e-mail exchanges with the board.

The Chester Borough Mayor and Council next take on the topic Aug. 6.