NJ School Choice Program

I have recommended to the Board that the Tewksbury Township School District submit an application to the state to become a “Choice School.” This recommendation will be discussed at the Board of Education meeting that is scheduled for Wednesday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the OTS library.

The “School Choice” program is designed to increase educational opportunities for students and their families. This is accomplished by providing students with the option of attending a public school outside their district of residence. There is no cost to the parents provided the student’s residence is within a 20 mile radius of the receiving school.

As you know, our school district is experiencing a decline in enrollment and recently a decline in the local tax levy. These factors present challenges to our ongoing efforts to provide a variety of quality educational offerings to our students. The Tewksbury Township School District is noted as being a “high performing” school district, as indicated by the state monitoring guidelines, and we boast having a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.

By becoming a “Choice School District” we will be able to determine the number of students that we will accept from the neighboring school districts. The advantages to Tewksbury are found in increased revenues, the maintenance of appropriate class sizes, an increase in the diversity of our student population, and the ability to maintain all of our current and future program offerings.

The Board will discuss the application in detail on April 25. I invite you to attend the meeting and engage in the conversation.

Jim Gamble

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