East Brunswick Public Schools
Encyclopedia
East Brunswick Public Schools is a comprehensive community public school district
serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in East Brunswick, in Middlesex County
, New Jersey
, United States.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the district's 11 schools had an enrollment of 8,825 students and 674 classroom teachers (on an FTE
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.09.
The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education
as being in District Factor Group "I", the second highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.
/ National School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
. Schools that have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools are
Irwin School (1989–90),
East Brunswick High School (1990–91),
Lawrence Brook School (1991–92),
Churchill Junior High School (1994–95),
Hammarskjold Middle School (1994–95),
Bowne-Munro School (1996–97),
Murray A. Chittick Elementary School (1998–99) and
Warnsdorfer Elementary School (2000–01).
The district was selected as one of the top "100 Best Communities for Music Education in America 2005" by the American Music Conference.
Students from all schools, particularly EBHS, have garnered state and national honors in academics, athletics, and the arts.
The current Superintendent is Jo Ann Magistro, whose planned appointment was announced by the East Brunswick Board of Education on January 9, and became effective March 1, 2003. Magistro has been continuously employed by the East Brunswick School District since ca. 1972, having served variously as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, District’s Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Activities, and Building Administrator.
Superintendent of Schools Jon Kopko served from 1989 through 2000. Superintendent of Schools Jamie Savedoff served from July 2000 through March 2003.
has nine elected members. Every year, in April, three of the nine members are elected to serve a three-year term of office. The Board meets approximately twice a month from April through February and weekly in March.
) are:
Elementary Schools (K-5)
As a rule, students in grades 1 through 5 attend the elementary school closest to them.
Middle Schools
High School Facility
Jon R. Kopko Administration Building
In the State of New Jersey, schools are funded primarily by property taxes, which increased at a rate of 7% annually from 2000 to 2007. Rapid rises in property taxes tend to cause seniors and empty-nesters to sell their existing homes to families with children, which led to further increases to the school-age population.
In December 2004 following a public campaign in its support, voters approved a $106.1 million referendum for the additions and improvements at Central, Lawrence Brook, and Hammarskjold Middle Schools. Previous bond referenda in 1994 and 1995 had failed to obtain voter approval. For 2004, an additional ca. $54 million believed necessary for renovations at other East Brunswick School facilities (which would have brought the total to $160 million) was deferred.
Of this sum, $24.7 million was to be contributed by the State of New Jersey. The rebuilding of Hammarskjold Middle School was planned to cost $66.5 million, of which $12.3 million was to have come from the State. Central School renovation and expansion were planned to cost ca. $20.7 million, of which $6.4 million was to have come from the State. Lawrence Brook School renovation and expansion were expected to cost ca. $19 million, of which ca. $6 million was to have come from the State.
Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh of the United States District Court for New Jersey ruled on July 26, 2006 that Borden could bow his head and bend his knee when the team captains (i.e., students) lead the players in prayer. However, this decision was overturned on April 15, 2008 by a unanimous decision in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
, in which Judge D. Michael Fisher concluded that "a reasonable observer would conclude that he is continuing to endorse religion when he bows his head during the pre-meal grace and takes a knee with his team in the locker room while they pray."
East Brunswick Public Schools provides such services in compliance with the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related State of New Jersey Statutes. Accordingly each eligible student is educated in a least restrictive environment (LRE) according to an individualized education plan (IEP) drafted by his or her child study team (CST) consisting of school personnel and parents. Eligibility determinations are made every three years. Special services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, educational aides, and other services as appropriate and called for. A Director of Special Education, currently Sharon Weber-Oleszkiewicz, manages East Brunswick Public Schools' program of providing special services. At the district level, the Director is supported by a Supervisor of Elementary School Special Education, a Supervisor of Secondary School Special Education, and a Supervisor of Autism Spectrum Program.
Special education is supported at the schools by individual professionals including specialists (math, reading, and speech), special education teachers, teacher resource personnel, teacher aides, and child study team personnel (a category which may include psychologists, learning disabled teaching consultants, and social workers). These individuals come into direct contact with those students who require special services.
Students receiving special services may be eligible for participation in an extended school year (ESY) program by which they attend instructional classes during the summer.
Pre-school and kindergarten students eligible for special education services receive instruction from an early age and full-time kindergarten (conventionally, East Brunswick Public Schools offers only half-day kindergarten).
There are multiple resources and support groups available to parents of disabled children. For example, the State of New Jersey operates the Division of Developmental Disabilities. The East Brunswick Special Education PTA (SEPTA) offers a valuable website. Another organization of value for those interested in autism-spectrum disorder is COSAC (Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community), and yet another is ASPEN (Asperger's Syndrome Education Network).
The processes mandated by IDEA, while saving the educational lives of many affected students, also pose many challenges to educators and parents. The IEP process can be lengthy. A child requiring special services needs a substantial investment in time on the part of the parents, the child's greatest advocate. Parents need to consider outside evaluations and consult with others. Parents may refer to the published curricula made available by East Brunswick Public Schools at The East Brunswick Public Library. East Brunswick Public Schools uses "leveled reading" terminology to specify reading skills. Leveling schemes are highly technical. One scheme by which, e.g., "Level J" is an end-of-first-grade reading level, is the Fountas and Pinnell "Benchmark Assessment" System. Achieving a properly defined plan, it is important to conduct a full and proper evaluation. The individualized aspect of the IEP is critical.
Educating a special needs child is a project. Project planning is a discipline in industry and government. It can be challenging to provide the ongoing monitoring of progress and support of course-correction activity that is required to provision a high-quality planned educational program to eligible students.
It is the that IDEA guarantees the services needed by special students. It is wise for parents to familiarize themselves with relevant portions of the IDEA text. Alternatively one may team with an advocate who can, potentially, attend the IEP meetings with parents.
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade in East Brunswick, in Middlesex County
Middlesex County, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 750,162 people, 265,815 households, and 190,855 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,422 people per square mile . There were 273,637 housing units at an average density of 884 per square mile...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, United States.
As of the 2009-10 school year, the district's 11 schools had an enrollment of 8,825 students and 674 classroom teachers (on an FTE
Full-time equivalent
Full-time equivalent , is a unit to measure employed persons or students in a way that makes them comparable although they may work or study a different number of hours per week. FTE is often used to measure a worker's involvement in a project, or to track cost reductions in an organization...
basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.09.
The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education
New Jersey Department of Education
The New Jersey Department of Education administers state and federal aid programs affecting more than 1.4 million public and non-public elementary and secondary school children in the state of New Jersey. The department is headquartered in Trenton.The Department is responsible for ensuring that...
as being in District Factor Group "I", the second highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.
Awards and recognition
East Brunswick is the only district in the State of New Jersey having eight schools designated Blue Ribbon SchoolBlue Ribbon Schools Program
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created in 1981 to honor schools which have achieved high levels of performance or significant improvements with emphasis on schools serving disadvantaged students. The program centers around a self-assessment conducted by the...
/ National School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
. Schools that have been recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools are
Irwin School (1989–90),
East Brunswick High School (1990–91),
Lawrence Brook School (1991–92),
Churchill Junior High School (1994–95),
Hammarskjold Middle School (1994–95),
Bowne-Munro School (1996–97),
Murray A. Chittick Elementary School (1998–99) and
Warnsdorfer Elementary School (2000–01).
The district was selected as one of the top "100 Best Communities for Music Education in America 2005" by the American Music Conference.
Students from all schools, particularly EBHS, have garnered state and national honors in academics, athletics, and the arts.
Superintendent of Schools
The Superintendent of Schools is the chief executive of East Brunswick Public Schools. As such, the Superintendent is responsible for the appropriate and necessary expenditure of approximately 78% to 80% of Township of East Brunswick property tax collections.The current Superintendent is Jo Ann Magistro, whose planned appointment was announced by the East Brunswick Board of Education on January 9, and became effective March 1, 2003. Magistro has been continuously employed by the East Brunswick School District since ca. 1972, having served variously as Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, District’s Assistant Superintendent for Student Services and Activities, and Building Administrator.
Superintendent of Schools Jon Kopko served from 1989 through 2000. Superintendent of Schools Jamie Savedoff served from July 2000 through March 2003.
Board of education
The East Brunswick Board of EducationBoard of education
A board of education or a school board or school committee is the title of the board of directors or board of trustees of a school, local school district or higher administrative level....
has nine elected members. Every year, in April, three of the nine members are elected to serve a three-year term of office. The Board meets approximately twice a month from April through February and weekly in March.
School Facilities
East Brunswick Public Schools' facilities consists of 11 school facilities and one administration building; in addition, the East Brunswick Public Library serves as a repository for public examination of all curricula as well as serving as an important education-related resource for the community. Schools in the district (with 2009-10 enrollment data from the National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education Statistics
The National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...
) are:
Elementary Schools (K-5)
- Bowne-Munro (286 students)
- Central (newly expanded/renovated for 2007-08, incl. 14 new classrooms; 449)
- Murray A. Chittick (489)
- Frost (502)
- Irwin (435)
- Lawrence Brook (newly expanded/renovated for 2007-08, incl. 12 new classrooms; 547)
- Memorial (recently burned down, soon to be rebuilt; 354)
- Warnsdorfer (462)
As a rule, students in grades 1 through 5 attend the elementary school closest to them.
Middle Schools
- Hammarskjold Middle SchoolHammarskjold Middle SchoolHammarskjold Middle School is a middle school for grades 6 and 7 in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey, as part of the East Brunswick Public Schools...
(HMS) for grades 6 and 7 (rebuilt for 2008-09; 1,452) - Churchill Junior High School for grades 8 and 9 (1,465)
High School Facility
- East Brunswick High SchoolEast Brunswick High SchoolEast Brunswick High School is a comprehensive public high school serving students in grades 10 through 12 in East Brunswick Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, operating as part of East Brunswick Public Schools. The school was recognized by the Blue Ribbon Schools Program in the 1990-91...
(EBHS) serves grades 10-12 (2,309). The flagship school of the district located on a topographically notable hill at the intersections of Cranbury and Summerhill Roads.
Jon R. Kopko Administration Building
- The East Brunswick Public Schools Administration, re-named in honor of long-time Superintendent of Schools Jon R. Kopko upon his retirement in 2000, is situated at 760 Route 18 North. Government-access television Board of Education meetings are held in the Administration building and are televised by EBTV to Comcast CableCableA cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
TV subscribers within the Township.
Expansion
In 10 years 1994 through 2004, the number of students served by East Brunswick Public Schools grew by 1,850 students, the equivalent of 60 to 75 new classrooms (on the basis of 25 to 30 students each), reflecting the population growth in East Brunswick as a whole. This growth led to overcrowding at elementary schools, necessitated busing to transport students to schools when there was no existing facility near their home and required the use of trailers at the Middle School to accommodate the influx of students. With additional property zoned for residential use, school population was expected to grow in the years ahead.In the State of New Jersey, schools are funded primarily by property taxes, which increased at a rate of 7% annually from 2000 to 2007. Rapid rises in property taxes tend to cause seniors and empty-nesters to sell their existing homes to families with children, which led to further increases to the school-age population.
In December 2004 following a public campaign in its support, voters approved a $106.1 million referendum for the additions and improvements at Central, Lawrence Brook, and Hammarskjold Middle Schools. Previous bond referenda in 1994 and 1995 had failed to obtain voter approval. For 2004, an additional ca. $54 million believed necessary for renovations at other East Brunswick School facilities (which would have brought the total to $160 million) was deferred.
Of this sum, $24.7 million was to be contributed by the State of New Jersey. The rebuilding of Hammarskjold Middle School was planned to cost $66.5 million, of which $12.3 million was to have come from the State. Central School renovation and expansion were planned to cost ca. $20.7 million, of which $6.4 million was to have come from the State. Lawrence Brook School renovation and expansion were expected to cost ca. $19 million, of which ca. $6 million was to have come from the State.
Decommissioned facilities
Several older prewar school facilities in East Brunswick have been decommissioned. They date from the period before the rapid expansion of East Brunswick in the 1960s and provide a glimpse of how the Township appeared before the burgeoning residential build-outs of the 1950s and, on minimum-1/3 acre plots, of the 1960s. Each of the latter phases of development is readily visible upon driving through the Township. The few prewar school structures that remain are readily identifiable as red-brick, two-story buildings and several still stand. Extant structures are The McGinnis School (Dunhams Corner Road and Hardenburg Lane) and The Weber School (Riva Avenue and Hardenburg Lane – now sold). The McGinnis School, last utilized for instructional purposes in 1977-78, was opened in 1926. In April 2007 Mayor William Neary was quoted as stating the Township would accept no less than $260,000 for the facility. In general, the Township has struggled somewhat in its deliberations as to their future, not wishing the sites to become commercialized. Since they require either costly demolition or renovation, and are situated (by and large) on main thoroughfares, it is presumed that their best future use will be neither residential nor commercial. For example, the Weber School has been acquired by a nearby existing religious community institution.Notable alumni
- Anne MilgramAnne MilgramAnne Milgram was the Attorney General of New Jersey from June 2007 to January 2010.Milgram had served as First Assistant Attorney General, the second-highest position in the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, having taken office on February 14, 2006...
, Attorney General of the State of New Jersey - Josh MillerJosh MillerJosh Miller is a former American football punter and current football analyst.He was signed by the Baltimore Stallions of the Canadian Football League as an undrafted free agent in 1994...
, CFL and NFL player, most notably a punter with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots - Heather O'ReillyHeather O'ReillyHeather Ann O'Reilly , also known by her initials HAO, is a member of the United States women's national soccer team and a two-time Olympic Gold medalist...
, professional soccer player, US Women's National Soccer team member, 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 2-Time NCAA Women's Soccer champion at the University of North Carolina - Dave WohlDave WohlDavid Bruce Wohl is an American former basketball player and coach. A 6'2" guard who grew up in East Brunswick Township, New Jersey and played collegiately at the University of Pennsylvania, Wohl was selected in the 3rd round of the 1971 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers...
, former NBA player with several teams including the 76ers and Nets, NBA assistant and head coach, and currently employed as an assistant GM with the Boston Celtics. - Michael BarkannMichael BarkannMichael Barkann is an award winning sports host, anchor and reporter for Comcast SportsNet.-Education:...
, an award winning sports host, anchor and reporter for Comcast SportsNet (Philadelphia) and The USA Network.
Football coach prayer controversy
On October 7, 2005, shortly after being informed by Superintendent of Schools Jo Ann Magistro that he would not be permitted to join his football team in prayer as he had done in the past and that some parents had complained about the prayers, East Brunswick High School coach Marcus Borden resigned from his position. Borden, also a tenured Spanish teacher, had by then had a distinguished 23-year career with East Brunswick Public Schools. District spokeswoman Trish LaDuca told the East Brunswick newspaper Home News Tribune that "[a] representative of the school district cannot constitutionally initiate prayer, encourage it or lead it." The East Brunswick football team lost its game in a shutout on the day Borden resigned. Following Borden's resignation, nearly 100 players, parents, and coaches arrived at his house on a rainy day pleading for his return. Borden agreed and received pro bono legal representation the next week. He filed a lawsuit against the district on November 23 that year alleging that it was violating his constitutional rights; lawyer Ronald Riccio represented Borden.Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh of the United States District Court for New Jersey ruled on July 26, 2006 that Borden could bow his head and bend his knee when the team captains (i.e., students) lead the players in prayer. However, this decision was overturned on April 15, 2008 by a unanimous decision in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts for the following districts:* District of Delaware* District of New Jersey...
, in which Judge D. Michael Fisher concluded that "a reasonable observer would conclude that he is continuing to endorse religion when he bows his head during the pre-meal grace and takes a knee with his team in the locker room while they pray."
Special education
As elsewhere, special education is a key component of the education provided by East Brunswick Public Schools to eligible students.East Brunswick Public Schools provides such services in compliance with the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and related State of New Jersey Statutes. Accordingly each eligible student is educated in a least restrictive environment (LRE) according to an individualized education plan (IEP) drafted by his or her child study team (CST) consisting of school personnel and parents. Eligibility determinations are made every three years. Special services may include speech therapy, occupational therapy, educational aides, and other services as appropriate and called for. A Director of Special Education, currently Sharon Weber-Oleszkiewicz, manages East Brunswick Public Schools' program of providing special services. At the district level, the Director is supported by a Supervisor of Elementary School Special Education, a Supervisor of Secondary School Special Education, and a Supervisor of Autism Spectrum Program.
Special education is supported at the schools by individual professionals including specialists (math, reading, and speech), special education teachers, teacher resource personnel, teacher aides, and child study team personnel (a category which may include psychologists, learning disabled teaching consultants, and social workers). These individuals come into direct contact with those students who require special services.
Students receiving special services may be eligible for participation in an extended school year (ESY) program by which they attend instructional classes during the summer.
Pre-school and kindergarten students eligible for special education services receive instruction from an early age and full-time kindergarten (conventionally, East Brunswick Public Schools offers only half-day kindergarten).
There are multiple resources and support groups available to parents of disabled children. For example, the State of New Jersey operates the Division of Developmental Disabilities. The East Brunswick Special Education PTA (SEPTA) offers a valuable website. Another organization of value for those interested in autism-spectrum disorder is COSAC (Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community), and yet another is ASPEN (Asperger's Syndrome Education Network).
Individualized Education Program (IEP) process
East Brunswick Public Schools has a commitment to special education.The processes mandated by IDEA, while saving the educational lives of many affected students, also pose many challenges to educators and parents. The IEP process can be lengthy. A child requiring special services needs a substantial investment in time on the part of the parents, the child's greatest advocate. Parents need to consider outside evaluations and consult with others. Parents may refer to the published curricula made available by East Brunswick Public Schools at The East Brunswick Public Library. East Brunswick Public Schools uses "leveled reading" terminology to specify reading skills. Leveling schemes are highly technical. One scheme by which, e.g., "Level J" is an end-of-first-grade reading level, is the Fountas and Pinnell "Benchmark Assessment" System. Achieving a properly defined plan, it is important to conduct a full and proper evaluation. The individualized aspect of the IEP is critical.
Educating a special needs child is a project. Project planning is a discipline in industry and government. It can be challenging to provide the ongoing monitoring of progress and support of course-correction activity that is required to provision a high-quality planned educational program to eligible students.
It is the that IDEA guarantees the services needed by special students. It is wise for parents to familiarize themselves with relevant portions of the IDEA text. Alternatively one may team with an advocate who can, potentially, attend the IEP meetings with parents.
Administration
Core members of the district's administration are:- Dr. Jo Ann Magistro, Superintendent
- Bernardo Giuliana, Business Administrator
External links
- East Brunswick Public Schools
- Data for the East Brunswick Public Schools, National Center for Education StatisticsNational Center for Education StatisticsThe National Center for Education Statistics is the part of the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics on education and public school district finance information in the United States...