County Consolidation Task Force

In August of 2008, the New Jersey Commissioner of Education issued new accountability and efficiency standards for the state's public schools. As part of those regulations, studies are being conducted statewide to develop consolidation/regionalization plans. The goal is to create school districts that house students in grades Pre-K to 12, with student populations of approximately 5,000, which would presumably provide cost savings in the operation of New Jersey's public schools.

Burlington County's Executive County Superintendent Dr. Les Richens has been charged with developing such a plan for our county by March of 2010. The plan will be submitted to the commissioner upon completion, and will go before the voters if it is approved at the state level.

Thus far in the process, Dr. Richens has met with superintendents and board members within the school community and selected a countywide task force on the subject. Mount Laurel Board of Education President Diane Blair represents the community on this task force. Members have reviewed existing consolidation/regionalization studies and have studied survey data collected by the Executive County Superintendent.

Citizen input into this subject is welcome at all levels. E-mail your comments or questions to Board President Diane Blair here. Contact Burlington County Executive Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lester Richens at Superintendent of Schools at 2 Academy Drive in
Westampton. Telephone: 609-265-5060 Fax: 609-265-5922.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about Regionalization answer by the New Jersey School Boards Association.