Council liaison reports proposed expansion at lower (TBD) school as enrollment rises; special-needs costs highlighted

A council liaison told the Borough of Old Tappan Mayor & Council that the district completed a preliminary study recommending an expansion of the lower (TBD) school to add four classrooms and two group rooms to address capacity constraints.

The liaison said the school board approved the architectural plans on Nov. 10 but still needs state Department of Education approvals before the district appears before the borough planning board. "They're thinking January February because they really would like to break ground by June or July," the liaison said.

The liaison described recent enrollment pressure: "From 2023 until October 31st of this year, they've had an additional, so far, 69 students." He added that roughly "close to 49 percent of those students require special needs," and later stated an estimated per-student special-needs cost of "about $300,000" per year. The liaison identified that some students are served in-district while others are sent out of district when needs exceed local capacity.

Council members pressed for more detail on physical accommodations and fiscal responsibility. One council member asked whether special-needs students require additional classroom size or wheelchair access; the liaison said many accommodations are handled in house but some students need placement outside the district. Asked if the town would "split the bill," the liaison replied, "Taxpayer pays."

The council liaison said the district plans to wait for state approval before returning to the borough; if approval is granted, the district intends to present to the municipal planning board and pursue construction with a target to break ground by June or July.

Next steps: the liaison said the district will return with more detailed information after state Department of Education approvals and that the council can expect another report in January.