Regionalization
Background: In July of 2022 – after the completion of a feasibility study conducted in accordance with a New Jersey State grant, a public presentation, and much deliberation – all three Boards of Education submitted a joint petition to the Acting Commissioner of Education in collaboration with the Atlantic Highlands, Highlands, and Sea Bright municipalities to state our intention of: 1.) forming a PK-12 regional school district with Atlantic Highlands and Highlands and 2.) expanding the membership of that PK-12 district to Sea Bright, when and if the Commissioner of Education approves Sea Bright’s withdrawal from its current districts (Shore Regional High School District and Oceanport School District). After legal challenges brought by Shore Regional and Oceanport School Districts and ensuing delays, the three Boards decided to submit an amended petition, requesting that the Acting Commissioner approve the regionalization of the three existing school districts with no further delay while the question of Sea Bright’s withdrawal continues to be examined. This amended petition was submitted in March of 2023. On July 21, 2023, the Acting Commissioner, after a recommendation from the Executive County Superintendent, approved the three districts’ plan for regionalization and granted the districts authorization to go out for a referendum vote during the September 26, 2023 special school election. On September 26, 2023, the voters of Highlands and Atlantic Highlands overwhelmingly approved the creation of one, all-purpose PK-12, regional school district.