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Parents urge Board to reconsider redistricting that would separate elementary siblings
Summary
Multiple New Providence residents urged the Board to grant sibling grandfathering or exceptions after redistricting maps would split elementary-aged siblings between schools, citing logistical burdens, social-emotional impact, and uneven class sizes across Salt Brook and Allen W. Roberts.
During the second public-comment period at the June 25 meeting several residents asked the Board to revisit redistricting outcomes that would separate elementary-aged siblings.
Melanie Katz described the logistical and emotional burden on her family if younger and older siblings must attend different elementary schools and asked for a narrow, reasonable exception to keep her children together. "I am respectfully asking the Board to reconsider this situation and allow my children to attend the same school," Katz told the Board.
Other speakers described similar concerns. Montana Cheal recounted her family's prior experience when the Board changed redistricting and noted how keeping siblings together had benefited her household and asked the Board to consider the conditions under which previous exceptions were granted. Valerie McAneny raised classroom-size comparisons between the two elementary schools and urged the Board not to separate families where room exists. Lara Donohue read a statement from a lifelong resident and school administrator urging the Board to balance planning for future housing growth with fairness for currently enrolled families.
Board President Amanda Marano thanked the speakers and closed the public comment period. The Board did not take immediate action at the meeting; the public record shows the community concern will be part of ongoing enrollment and boundary discussions going forward.
