Student urges board to lead voluntary K–12 consolidation study using SREP grant; superintendent notes April grant deadline
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Summary
A Hunterdon Central student urged the board to pursue a voluntary feasibility study and an SREP grant to explore full K–12 regionalization across the five sending districts; the superintendent noted the grant deadline and plans to coordinate with sending-district superintendents.
A student speaker, Chinmay Kashyap of Raritan Township and a Hunterdon Central student, recommended the board lead a voluntary K–12 regionalization feasibility study across the five feeder districts and apply jointly for the State Regional Efficiency Partnership (SREP) grant that can cover up to 100% of study costs. He argued that a K–12 regional district would eliminate instructional silos across feeder systems, create vertical alignment and provide longer-term fiscal stability under the state's funding formula.
Chashy noted recent state-level activity on consolidation following December hearings in Trenton and framed a voluntary study as a way for the five sending communities to define terms for unification rather than accept a state-mandated plan. The superintendent told the board the SREP grant deadline is April 15 and that the district will coordinate with sending-district superintendents at upcoming articulation meetings to discuss next steps; the board did not take formal action on the proposal at the meeting.