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Parents urge district to expand ESY hours for students with autism; board to study options
Summary
Multiple parents asked the board to increase the length of the extended school year (ESY) program for students with autism, saying a 4‑week, half‑day schedule is insufficient to prevent regression; superintendent said he will meet with special education staff and bring the issue to committee.
Parents of students with autism asked the North Hunterdon‑Voorhees Regional Board of Education on July 21 to expand the district’s Extended School Year (ESY) program, saying the current four‑week, half‑day schedule is inadequate for many special‑needs students.
Meredith Culley, identified herself as the parent of a special‑needs student at Voorhees, told the board the district’s ESY runs 8 a.m.–12 p.m. for four weeks and said many students with autism depend on structure and routine that a longer full‑day program provides. Culley said comparable private special‑needs schools in the area run six‑week, full‑day ESY programs and urged the board to add time for the district’s ESY to prevent behavioral regression.
Kevin Gerniani, another parent, said his daughter has attended multiple summers of ESY and supported Culley’s request. He described the additional time and structure at specialized programs as beneficial and said the district should consider a longer schedule to reduce regression and better serve families.
Board members and administrators responded that they would study the request. Superintendent (identified in the public meeting as Doctor Burjoff) said he planned to meet with director-level staff (Jen and others) the following day to get details and would bring recommendations to the appropriate committees — curriculum and finance/facilities/transportation — because additional ESY time would have staffing and budget implications.
No formal vote was taken; the board accepted public comment and directed staff to investigate program options, costs and staffing needs before committee consideration.
