Public discussions about the opportunity for the Millstone Schools to become part of the New Jersey Interdistrict Public School Choice Program have begun.
The Board of Education hosted two public meetings in March for community members to learn the facts about the Choice program and the opportunities that may arise by becoming a Choice school district.
Community members had the opportunity to ask questions and provide their comments on the proposed program presentations.
Superintendent Scott Feder will report back to the Millstone Board of Education with his recommendation on implementing a Choice program in Millstone. Feder stated that the Choice program, among other things, would be one way for the district to offset the impact of decreasing enrollment while providing additional revenue. Enrollment in the Millstone School District has continued to decline and is expected to decline further in the next five years, based on a demographic report analyzing this topic.
Other opportunities the Board of Education will be exploring relate to the performing arts center and cutting expenses by consolidating school buildings and reducing staff.
Feder suggested developing a Choice Committee made up of community stakeholders to research this topic.
In an open letter to the community on the district website, Feder said, “I encourage any Millstone School family, as well as any resident, to watch the videos, take notes and should you have any questions or thoughts, please forward them to sfeder@millstone.k12.nj.us. I will be using questions and comments to help me build a thorough FAQ and fact sheet for the community.”
Click on the links below to view the presentations:
Presentation March 7
http://www.millstone.k12.nj.us/web/site_flash/BOE_Meetings/School%20Choice%20Presentation_030713.swf
Presentation March 11
http://www.millstone.k12.nj.us/web/site_flash/BOE_Meetings/School%20Choice%20Presentation_031113.swf
The New Jersey Department of Education website defines the Choice program in the following way:
“New Jersey’s Interdistrict Public School Choice Program enables approved choice districts to enroll students who do not reside within their districts without cost to their parents.”
Millstone is considering applying for an opportunity to become a Choice district in Advanced Mathematics and possibly Fine Arts.