The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recently collaborated with the Sweeney Center for Public Policy to host a School Regionalization Conference at Rowan University. The event aimed to discuss the benefits of school regionalization in terms of efficiency, resource allocation, and educational outcomes.
The conference attracted over 150 participants, including superintendents, school business administrators, school board members, and representatives from various education associations such as the New Jersey Education Association and New Jersey School Boards Association. These attendees gathered both in person and virtually to gain insights into the School Regionalization Efficiency Program (SREP), managed by DCA’s Division of Local Government Services (DLGS).
DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez and DLGS Local Assistance Bureau Chief Rick Richardella provided an overview of the SREP process from the State’s perspective. Discussions also involved SREP grant recipients and education officials who highlighted the advantages of school regionalization.
“School regionalization and shared services done through voluntary initiatives are an integral part of Governor Murphy’s mission to make government more efficient and more cost-effective,” stated DCA Acting Commissioner Suárez. She emphasized that SREP allows public school districts to explore potential regionalization outcomes that could enhance education while ensuring taxpayer savings.
Established by P.L.2021, c.402, signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy in January 2022, SREP offers reimbursement for eligible costs associated with feasibility studies on district regionalization or consolidation. These studies aim to assess how districts might merge, potentially forming countywide or regional districts that deliver cost savings or other benefits.
Mark J. Magyar, co-director of the Rowan School Regionalization Institute, remarked on the progress: “School regionalization in New Jersey is moving forward, with more and more districts taking advantage of the School Regionalization Efficiency Program grants offered through the state Division of Local Government Services.” He noted that voters approved a preK-12 merger involving Henry Hudson Regional, Atlantic Highlands, and Highlands school districts—the first successful school regionalization since 2013 under new bipartisan legislation.
Since its inception, the application process for SREP has been streamlined to allow year-round applications and enable districts to contract state universities for feasibility studies without needing a request for proposal.
To date, DLGS has awarded SREP grants to four public school districts across New Jersey.
For further information on school regionalization efforts in New Jersey visit https://www.nj.gov/dca/dlgs/programs/srep_grants.shtml
The Steve Sweeney Center for Public Policy was established as an independent bipartisan center focused on data-driven analysis and pragmatic solutions for complex policy issues. More details can be found at https://chss.rowan.edu/centers/sweeney_center/.
DLGS advocates for local government interests providing technical assistance in budgeting and management issues while maintaining financial integrity across local government units. DCA also offers programs covering affordable housing production, fire safety among others.
