Equity.

Here’s some food for thought…

I have reviewed the original presentation made by Melissa Varley to the Board of Education and public on April 8, 2021 and highlighted several areas in which the rationale behind the necessary realignment, redistrict and reconfiguration was addressed but have not actually been resolved or been given a long-term plan or projection.

https://www.bhpsnj.org/cms/lib/NJ01001806/Centricity/Domain/4/Full%20Day%20Kindergarten%20Options%20FinalDraft%204-16-21.pdf

Slide 3: Guiding Principles

Provide equitable services for all students.

— Originally this idea, to provide equitable services, could only be met if the schools were properly balanced – which they are not. 

Optimize the efficiency of our resources by balancing enrollment across all elementary schools. 

— There is currently no balance with Hughes in the equation.

Provide for future growth given the new housing developments.

— Will these kids go to Mountain Park? And will the district be prepared for bussing as the Locust Ave complex is approximately 2.5 miles from Mountain Park. 

Maximixe, where possible, the number of children who can walk to school.

— I am not sure why this was a guiding principle as walkability was not maximized for anyone under the new plan.

Slide 8

Enrollment disparity in elementary schools which leads to lack of equity in services provided and inability to maximize the use of staff.

 — We will see a disparity this fall, how are the services needed being addressed?

Slides 9&10

Cite the GREATEST CONCERN is lack of equity 

— This was not addressed in the rollout for Mountain Park and Hughes! Therefore, students in the current and new configuration will not have equitable experiences.

Slide 13

With multiple classes at a single grade level, students will be distributed more evenly among classes. 

— Some sections will have 17 students per class and others will have 22 – in my opinion we could have and should have done better to make classes across the board smaller!

This new configuration will allow for balanced enrollment and growth in each of the four buildings. 

— Again, a clear and definitive balance does not exist under this new plan. 

There will be a reduced need for bussing. 

— There is actually an increased need for bussing for the majority of students being redistricted – I honestly do not know who added this one to the slide.  And, the only savings in transportation is because you have done away with courtesy bussing!

Slide 20

This slide demonstrated the original projected enrollment, which was based off current numbers. The projected enrollment for fall has decreased fairly significantly and I’m not sure why. 

The following chart was provided to me by Melissa Varley on 5/20/21 and reflects enrollment numbers, class sections and class sizes for the 2021-22 school year.