The war against Small Schools in New Jersey

March 29, 2009

The war against Small Schools in New Jersey

There's much buzzing about as plans are being paved for small schools across the state to be gobbled up by larger regional districts in a years time (March 2010). In Ocean county where I reside more than half a dozen small districts - like Island Heights which has its own K-6 school, are slated to be consolidated into regional districts- like Toms River Regional, Lavalette, Central and Southern Regional.

Here in Jersey we've got townships, and lots of them. Lots of townships means lots of schools, and yes a lot of money spent. The consolidations are proposed as a money saver for the state. But what remains to be seen is the impact of consolidation on "our kids" education. Whereas, smaller schools produce on average higher GPAs, higher rates of commencement. Meanwhile, these larger schools are known for crowded classes, long bus rides, gang violence and higher rates for dropout.

More often than not - lately, I feel as if New Jersey is becoming The Borg. Forced Vaccination and Crowded Regional Schools, lets all give a shout out for living in the Garden State!

I suppose I'm showing my true colors now. I'm not Jersey born and bred. I'm transplanted. My family moved here for the 3 E's - Employment, Economy, and Education. I moved here knowing that this state offered gainful employment to my husband and has some of the best special education that we could find for our special needs child. For these reasons, and the fact that I don't have to pump my own gasoline - I'm forced to buck up and enjoy New Jersey living. I'd be a liar if I said I didn't actually like living in New Jersey. I love our "Jersey Shore" beaches, even if they do get crowded with New Yorkers and the traffic is ridiculous during summer months and weekends. New Jersey really is a savory place to live, and I'm not making reference to the pork roll (Taylor Ham). We are what we are because of the people who live here - starting with our kids. What I'm saying is that I assert that NJ's unique flavor is concocted, cultivated, and honed through our school system, lots of small schools be that as it may. I'm not so sure that I'll be saying these kind things about our schools and our state post Borg consolidation. I think in the end, all we might have left is pork roll, but the kids deserve much more.

Original New Jersey Moms Blog post by MaryTara. MT blogs her adventures in parenting two beautiful children on the Jersey Shore, life with autism & without it, the gluten & casein free diet, and vaccination choice issues at The Bon Bon Gazette and raising a child with amblyopia at Adventures in Amblyopia.