School Board Head: We're Letting Outside Students Apply to Morris Schools Because Every Penny Counts

The Morris School District was newly approved Thursday, April 14, to take part in the Interdistrict Public School Choice program for 2011-2012—allowing it to accept students, and the tuition that comes with them, from other communities.

School board President Lisa Pollack said the decision to accept out-of-district students into the school system was made, in part, because "when every penny counts, you have to figure out ways to increase revenue."

Morris was among 56 new districts approved for the program, in addition to the 15 already participating, according to an announcement from Acting Education Commissioner Chris Cerf announced today.

“The Christie Administration wants all children to have the same hope and opportunity that comes with attending a school that fits their needs," Cerf said in a statement provided by Gov. Chris Christie's office. "The Interdistrict Public School Choice program empowers parents to make the best educational choices for their children, so they have the best chance for a successful future."

The program does not cost parents tuition—that, and transportation up to 20 miles is paid by the student's originating district (beyond that, parents must pay for transportation). The amount of openings it set per grade level by the choice school.

Pollack said the school board already allowed employees to move their children into district schools, provided space is available—and now the district can get paid for essentially the same practice.

"This was a way of getting revenue for something we already do for no revenue—revenue coming from school districts. I feel kind of bad for that. Now those districts will essentially have to pay us tuition," she said.

Pollack said not all school board members had agreed that entering the choice program was the right move, but on the whole, the board favored the idea. 

Cerf commended districts participating in the program.

"It’s a clear sign that districts are taking steps to make better and more efficient use of their available space, he said. "Choice is good for students because it expands opportunities, and it benefits taxpayers because districts are tapping a new revenue source."

The program is open to all New Jersey students, but the decision to become a choice school rests with the local board of education, and is approved by the state Department of Education. Any student currently attending New Jersey public schools is eligible to take advantage of this program.

Sending districts cannot discourage individual students from taking part, but can, by resolution, limit how many students participate—within regulations set by the state. It can limit the amount of students it sends out to 10 percent of the number of students per grade per year in the sending district, or 15 percent of the total number of students enrolled in the sending district—provided the education commissioner approves the resolution

Pollack said she wasn't sure how many out-of-district students might now be enticed to enter the Morris School District.

"I think it [the Morris School District] is enticing enough. I don’t know if we would have the room. It depends. ... It’s always a possibility," she said. "They can apply. We only will accept them if we have the room."

A list of all schools participating in the program is here.