DCA Awards Grants for School Regionalization Studies

• Posted on: 08/7/2023

School Regionalization Efficiency Program (SREP) Aims to Help School Districts Conduct Feasibility Studies to Explore Merging with Neighboring Communities

TRENTON, NJ – The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) today announced the award of School Regionalization Efficiency Program (SREP) grants to four school districts. The grants will help defray the costs of feasibility studies that examine the potential benefits of school district regionalization or consolidation. School district mergers or shared services agreements could result in cost savings or other efficiencies and benefits to students and taxpayers.

The grant program was established by P.L.2021, c.402, which was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2022.

“Our Administration is dedicated to helping our state’s public schools continue to achieve educational excellence and expand school district efficiencies,” said Governor Murphy. “We’re excited to see what meaningful insight and recommendations come out of the feasibility studies conducted by the school districts receiving the grant awards. Also, we’re hopeful the studies will guide the districts on ways they can adopt regionalization for the benefit of their students, teachers, parents, and taxpayers.”

“We believe in building stronger educational communities for the future of New Jersey,” said Dr. Angelica Allen-McMillan, Acting Commissioner of Education. “I am thrilled about the award of the School Regionalization Efficiency Program grants to four deserving school districts in our state. These grants will support the critical step of conducting feasibility studies, paving the way for potential mergers with neighboring districts. By exploring consolidation opportunities, we aim to enhance resources, improve educational experiences, and ensure long-term sustainability. Together, we are committed to fostering collaborative environments that empower our students and educators to thrive. Congratulations to the selected districts, and let us embark on this journey towards a brighter and more efficient educational landscape for all of New Jersey."

“We are enthusiastic that school districts are taking advantage of this grant funding to research possible regionalization opportunities,” said DLGS Director Jacquelyn Suárez. “New Jersey public schools are among the top rated in the nation because of their consistent and creative ability to deliver quality academic resources and services to their students. Regionalization can open the door to new and expanded courses, extracurricular programs, and improved facilities while effectively utilizing taxpayer dollars. It’s an idea worth exploring and we look forward to working with the school districts as they embark on their studies.”

“We’ve seen firsthand the tremendous benefits that can result when neighboring towns and schools work together to share their resources and services. So, we are pleased that these school districts are taking the time to seriously research regionalization to see if it makes sense for their communities,” said former Mayors Nicolas Platt and Jordan Glatt, who were appointed by Governor Murphy in a bipartisan effort in 2018 to be the state’s first Shared Services Czars. “Because we know that finding ways to share and consolidate services can be hard work, we and DCA staff stand ready to support the districts as they conduct their feasibility studies.”

The feasibility studies will evaluate factors such as enrollment, facility utilization, existing send/receive relationships, administrative staffing, class size, diversity enhancement, debt and contractual obligations, faculty needs and attrition, among others.

The following school districts received SREP grants:

School District	Award Amount
Belvidere School District	$150,000
Delsea Regional School District	$100,000
Kittatinny Regional School District	$100,000
Union Township School District	$120,000

Priority was given to school districts that applied for grant funding to study opportunities for K-12 regionalization and countywide school district consolidation. The funding can cover:

• Preliminary approval for school district regionalization to form an all-purpose regional district by expanding an existing limited-purpose regional district through consolidation with some or all of the constituent or sending school districts, or to form a countywide school district.
• Newly proposed feasibility studies for school district regionalization and those studies in the process of being conducted.
• Previously conducted feasibility studies for school district regionalization that were completed within two (2) years prior to the enactment of P.L. 2021 c. 133 on June 29, 2021.

All feasibility studies must seek to advance an enhanced learning environment for participating school districts; coordinate curriculum across schools and grades throughout the proposed consolidation/regionalization; reflect the potential for improved efficiency and cost savings; consolidate school districts that are in close geographic proximity of each other; and make good faith efforts to implement study recommendations, among other criteria.

Also, feasibility studies must demonstrate that the proposed regionalization does not, and is not foreseeably likely to, increase or exacerbate the segregation of students by racial, socioeconomic, disability, or English language proficiency.

The school districts are required to provide DLGS with semi-annual project progress reports on the activities and progress of the feasibility study project. The grant funding is provided on a reimbursement basis.

At the conclusion of their project, the school districts must submit a final feasibility study report, recommendations, and the regionalization implementation plan. Once a study has been completed, the school districts are encouraged to follow through with service sharing agreements but not obligated to do so.

DLGS serves as an advocate for local government interests and provides technical and financial assistance in budgeting, financial reporting, joint services, purchasing, and management issues. It is responsible for the financial integrity of all local government units and reviews and approves all municipal, county, and fire district budgets. It also reviews many local government financial actions and governs and guides the conduct of local government officials.

For more information on the School Regionalization Efficiency Program, visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/srep_grants.shtml

DCA offers a wide range of programs and services, including local government management and finance, affordable housing production, fire safety, building safety, community planning and development, disaster recovery and mitigation, historic preservation, and information privacy

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