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Parents urge board to address student attrition; administration plans withdrawal survey
Summary
Residents raised concerns that a substantial share of the eighth‑grade class may be leaving Governor Livingston for other options and pressed the district for analysis; the superintendent said a withdrawal survey will be distributed in late July and that Mountainside students will be included.
Two residents used the board's public‑comment period to press the district for data and concrete plans on student retention.
Rama Castori, who identified herself as a Berkeley Heights resident, said she counted roughly 26 students enrolling full‑time in a Union County choice program (UCBTS) and that when combined with private‑school enrollments the number suggests more than 20% of the graduating eighth‑grade class may not attend Governor Livingston next year. She asked the administration to confirm the count, indicate whether attrition has changed over recent years, explain any analysis of drivers of departures and outline benchmarks the board will use to measure progress.
John McGuz followed with a critique focused on academic measurement. "A proficiency test is about how well a school is teaching. It shouldn't be minimized," he said, arguing the strategic plan lacked measurable proficiency targets and pressing the board to include clear achievement goals.
Administration responded that a withdrawal survey will be sent to families of students who chose schools other than Governor Livingston; the district said it expects to disseminate that survey in late July and that Mountainside families will be included. Officials said some lists for this year’s non‑returning students remain incomplete and that the qualitative data from the survey will be used to inform retention work.
Board members suggested expanding the data collection over time (for example, gathering information when families withdraw in elementary or middle grades) and requested the administration report back with the survey results and planned benchmarks when available.
Next steps: administration to send the withdrawal survey in late July, compile responses, and provide the board with follow‑up analysis; district goals tied to the strategic plan will be presented in August.
