Matawan-Aberdeen district reports high attendance, enrollment growth and expands school mental-health work

Matawan-Aberdeen Regional School District leaders told the school board at a recent meeting that the district is seeing strong attendance and enrollment growth while continuing to expand school-based mental-health supports and assess facility needs.

Superintendent Perez said the district is at a 97% attendance rate for the month to date, an increase from last year, and that the district “scored above an 80% in each of the categories, which is considered high performing.” Those categories, Perez said, include instruction and programs, fiscal management, operations and facilities, and personnel oversight.

The district reported it welcomed 75 new students between August and September. Enrollment figures presented at the meeting were 2,017 students in prekindergarten through grade 5 and 1,825 students in grades 6 through 12; district-added students were listed as 47. Board members and administrators said those enrollment trends are a driver for earlier work on redistricting for the 2026–27 school year.

District staff also briefed the board on a mental-health initiative supported by a New Jersey Department of Education grant, implemented with Rutgers University. Presenters said the program has moved to a prevention-focused, student-driven model that includes a universal computerized screener administered to the freshman class; the meeting record shows 123 students participated in last year’s screener. A school presenter described a peer-support framework used in the program, saying, “AACC stands for preparedness, accountability, communication, and kindness.” The district said staff will continue intervention inventories and data-informed supports to identify students who need additional services.

Administrators told the board they are continuing work with the Aberdeen Police Department to adjust arrival and dismissal patterns and to keep traffic and student safety a priority. Facility issues were raised as an ongoing concern: officials reported signs of water damage to some roofs and described other interior and exterior repair needs. The district said the facilities and finance committees have begun planning and that a potential bond referendum is being considered; no timeline or dollar amount for a bond was finalized at the meeting.

The board acknowledged an award and community support: Kat Mancuso was identified as a 2025 Outstanding Special Education Teacher by the National Association of Special Education Teachers, and the district noted a donation from the United Way of Appalachian Counties to support backpacks, supplies and coat distribution (the dollar amount referenced during the meeting was not clearly specified).

Board members and staff said further details on test scores, redistricting proposals and facilities planning will be shared at upcoming meetings and community forums. The district’s finance and facilities committees will continue preliminary work on budget and facility priorities ahead of any formal bond proposal.