1. History and Opportunity: New Jersey’s Experience with School District Consolidation and the 2007 CORE ACT
Theresa Luhm, Esq.

2. Arguments for Consolidation
Cost savings
Enhanced program offerings for students
Diversified educational experience  
Simplified oversight
Education Law Center, Newark NJ

3. Arguments Against Consolidation
Cost savings minimal
Takes away local control and accountability
Difficulty
Education Law Center, Newark NJ

4. Education Law Center, Newark NJ
2006 CORE Plan
Clearing State hurdles that stand in way of sharing services
Overriding administrative waste in our schools
Reigning in pension abuse
Empowering our citizens
Education Law Center, Newark NJ

5. Executive County Superintendent Duties
Examine and recommend administrative and operational efficiencies, cost savings and shared services
Develop a plan to eliminate non-operating school districts
Create regional school district consolidation plans by no later than March 15, 2010
Education Law Center, Newark NJ

6. Consolidation Plan Requirements
Analysis of administrative staffing, collective bargaining agreements and compensation guides;
Analysis of each district’s educational program and recommendations for established the educational program of the proposed district;
Analysis of opportunities for greater effectiveness and efficiency including consolidation of special education services, transportation, food service operations, etc.
Analysis of socio-economic and demographic information;
Comparison of the estimated State aid and property tax impact;
Financial analysis of current and projected spending, local community wealth, debt limit and current debt burden; and
A long-range facilities plan
Education Law Center, Newark NJ

7. 2010 County Consolidation Plans: Content
Process – who met and how many times
Identification of districts for possible consolidation
Shared services descriptions
Dozens of future feasibility studies recommended when funds available
Education Law Center, Newark NJ

8. Education Law Center, Newark NJ
Where are we now?
13 of 26 non-operating districts were eliminated
Dozens of districts identified for possible consolidation
No feasibility studies were conducted by the State
Education Law Center, Newark NJ