COURT HOUSE — If developers of two workforce housing projects win approval for units here and in Rio Grande, the impact on schools could mean 500-600 more students, according to school board officials.
Such a jump in enrollment would seriously impact the district, already squeezed by a dismal economy and repair needs, according to board Vice President Dennis Roberts.
Each building, except Elementary No. 2, is “at capacity,” Roberts said at the March 19 meeting of the Middle Township Board of Education.
Focus of the problem, he said, are projects, one with 168 units, the other with about 90 units dubbed workforce housing, will not pay local school taxes, since they are seeking approvals that include payments in lieu of taxes.
While the municipality is under state mandate to allow more affordable housing units, and the board acknowledged that need, it felt that other taxpayers would be made to bear the burden of those in the new low-rent units.
Adding to the district’s dilemma is the possibility that the state Department of Education may direct it to begin a full-day, pre-kindergarten for 3 and 4-year-olds in September.
The district currently has a half-day pre-K program for 4-year-olds.
Such a dictate from the state would, “Have an impact on the school district,” stated Superintendent Michael Kopakowski. That translates into cost to either build or rent classrooms for those children.
The board directed Kopakowski and its Architect of Record Louis DeLosso, of Design Collaborative, to speak on its behalf before the municipal zoning board, where hearings will be held March 30 and April 2.
If no agreement is reached at the April 2 session, funding for the projects, which carries an April 9 application deadline, will “dry up,” according to board member Daniel Money.
“We don’t want anybody to feel we are against educating students who live in Middle Township,” said President Calvin Back.
He said an amount, equal to taxes paid by other taxpayers, ought to be paid by developers of those two workforce housing projects to fund schools.
“There are a lot of other issues you should look at as a board other than tax ramifications. There are much bigger issues than that one,” commented Robert Jackson of Del Haven at the public portion of the meeting.
“Well put,” replied Back.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com
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