High Point board votes to share special‑education director with Sussex‑Wantage amid sharp public opposition

The High Point Regional High School Board of Education voted May 26 to approve a shared‑services agreement that will have the district’s Director of Special Education also serve the Sussex‑Wantage Regional School District beginning July 1, 2026.

Superintendent Dr. Ripley framed the measure as a budget‑driven step to preserve direct student services amid reductions in state aid, telling the board the districts have long shared positions and that the proposal would not eliminate existing special‑education programs. “We have been tasked with sharing scarce resources,” he said, adding the arrangement would be reviewed annually.

The recommendation named Ms. Delaney (slated for the shared role) as the proposed administrator and specified that preschool oversight would remain with the sending district. The superintendent said the districts had discussed a transition plan and that the contract would include out‑clauses if the arrangement failed to meet expectations. He also estimated the immediate fiscal savings for High Point at roughly $85,000–$95,000.

Board members probed logistical and safety questions during a lengthy public discussion: how Ms. Delaney would divide time across multiple buildings, what tasks would shift from hands‑on to administrative, whether child‑study teams could absorb more day‑to‑day responsibilities, and what benchmarks would signal the need to revisit the decision.

Community members urged otherwise. Special‑education teacher Debbie Boris Chevis warned that both districts have rising special‑education populations and that a single director overseeing four schools could not meet families’ needs. Multiple parents and local special‑education professionals recounted long waits for services, difficulty accessing administrators and concern that dispersing leadership would make crisis response slower. A written virtual comment from a former board member and local resident called the change “a cut to services” and cautioned it could increase long‑term costs.

The vote was taken by roll call; the motion passed with a majority in favor and one abstention. Board leadership said implementation steps and transition meetings with the sending district would follow, and that the board would monitor indicators such as staff and family feedback, IEP review processes and service continuity.

Votes at a glance - Finance item 8 (shared services agreement to provide a Director of Special Education to Sussex‑Wantage, term July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027): Approved by roll call (motion passes; one abstention). The motion referenced New Jersey statute cited in the agenda and included provisions for yearly reassessment.

What happens next The superintendent and the receiving district are expected to meet to finalize a transition plan and contract details. Board members said they will track implementation outcomes and reassess after the first year if necessary.

Note on numbers and names Quotes and specific numerical estimates for cost savings were given by the superintendent and other participants during public discussion; the $85,000–$95,000 range was presented as an approximate estimate. The board used the spelling “Sussex Wantage/ Wanage” at times in the meeting; this article uses the standard form “Sussex‑Wantage” when referring to the sending district to maintain clarity.