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Rochelle Park sees mid‑year enrollment rise; board approves demographic study and $300,000 extraordinary aid
Summary
Superintendent reported a net increase of 77 students, including students requiring special‑education and ELL services, which added roughly $223,425 in unbudgeted high‑school tuition costs; the board approved a demographic study (≤$25,000) and appropriated $300,000 in extraordinary aid to offset 2024–25 budget pressures.
Superintendent Dr. Sue DeNobile told the Rochelle Park Board of Education on Feb. 25 that the district has seen a mid‑year enrollment increase of 77 students across grade levels, including 11 classified special‑education students and 15 English language learners. She said out‑of‑district high‑school placements average $15,199 per student and that the unexpected additional placements increased the district’s costs by about $223,425, prorated by entry month.
Why it matters: Board members were presented with immediate fiscal pressure and longer‑term planning questions. On the same agenda the board approved two measures intended to address both the current budget gap and future enrollment uncertainty: an appropriation of Extraordinary Aid for the 2024–25 budget and a contract for a demographic study.
At the meeting the board voted to appropriate $300,000 in Extraordinary Aid into the current budget. The appropriation included line‑item allocations listed in the minutes: $150,000 to in‑state private tuition, $55,000 to out‑of‑district aide costs, $10,000 to legal services, $20,000 to auditor services and $65,000 to contracted special‑education services. The motion to add the extraordinary aid passed as part of the finance agenda.
The board also approved Statistical Forecasting, LLC to perform a school demographic study at a cost not to exceed $25,000. The scope, as included in the resolution, will cover community overview, live‑birth data, historical enrollment trends, special‑education projections, housing growth, capacity analysis, home sales and GIS mapping; the firm will deliver written reports with tables and charts to inform staffing and facilities planning.
Superintendent DeNobile told the board the demographic study will help leadership forecast future enrollment and the district’s needs for staff and services. During public comment resident Mr. Jodeksnis asked whether the influx was consistent across grade levels and how results would be used; DeNobile said the study will examine birth records, housing trends and historical patterns to provide actionable projections for the district.
Financial context: The board had certified the December 2024 Secretary and Treasurer reports earlier in the meeting and approved bill payments for January and a February run, with total warrant amounts reported in the minutes. Several finance motions recorded roll‑call votes; individual items received occasional abstentions.
What’s next: The demographic study is expected to produce written findings to inform budget planning and the board will consider those findings as part of upcoming budget deliberations, including the special meeting scheduled March 18 to adopt the tentative 2025–26 budget.
