Board approves $11.9 million contract for education services at Essex County Juvenile Detention Center

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with the Essex Regional Educational Services Commission (ERESC) to provide educational services for residents at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center.

Warden Mark (surname recorded as Barcliff) introduced representatives from ERESC, including Superintendent Dr. Lati Walter McLeod and Principal Michael D’Argenio. McLeod said the commission provides high‑quality education aligned to New Jersey core curriculum content standards, delivers services required by individualized education programs (IEPs), and supplies counseling and therapeutic supports. He said last school year eight individuals graduated from high school while in the program.

McLeod and Principal D’Argenio said the program is transient by nature; enrollment changes frequently as youth are admitted and released. Current in-custody enrollment at the time of the meeting was 93 residents. When asked about funding and graduation metrics, McLeod said the county contract provides $11.9 million for education through the contract term and that ERESC does not receive additional state funding for the program. Commissioners asked for supplemental metrics (graduation counts, per‑pupil measures) to be provided after the meeting.

Commissioners praised the program’s work and discussed past efforts to seek school-district contributions for costs; Warden Barcliff said counties that contract to house residents pay a per‑diem that includes education and medical care costs. The board voted to approve resolution number 11 authorizing the contract; roll call recorded unanimous approval among present commissioners.

The contract term was discussed in the meeting as covering multiple years through December 2029; staff said the contract supports education for residents ranging from seventh grade through high school and includes special education services as required by IEPs.