More cash-strapped North Jersey school districts outsource summer school, students get the bills
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
There's nothing free about failure as more cash-strapped North Jersey districts outsource summer school — replacing free programs with those that will charge anywhere from $330 and $450 for each remedial class.
Wayne became the latest district to do so this year – a move that will save the estimated $200,000 it spent to provide remedial and enriched summer school last year.
Ridgewood abandoned district-run summer school last year and now will partner with Bergen Community College, which will run summer school for the village and at least three other districts in the county.
"We ran it in the past and it was just too costly," said Jeff Nyhuis, assistant principal in Ridgewood.
Districts are not required to provide summer school, but if they do, state law mandates it be free for district residents. A bill is wending its way through the legislature that would allow districts to charge, but many have already found their way around the state rules by contracting out summer school.
MICHAEL KARAS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Buy this photoStudents registering in Clifton, where the Passaic County Educational Services Commission runs the summer program and charges tuition.
Ridgewood abandoned district-run summer school last year and now will partner with Bergen Community College, which will run summer school for the village and at least three other districts in the county.
"We ran it in the past and it was just too costly," said Jeff Nyhuis, assistant principal in Ridgewood.
Districts are not required to provide summer school, but if they do, state law mandates it be free for district residents. A bill is wending its way through the legislature that would allow districts to charge, but many have already found their way around the state rules by contracting out summer school.