Senate Approves Ruiz and Gopal Bill to Require Students Who Live at the NWS Earle to go to Colts Neck Public Schools

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Education Chair M. Teresa Ruiz and Senator Vin Gopal that would require pupils who reside on certain federal property to enroll in the resident school district in accordance with the enrollment schedule determined by the executive county superintendent of schools was approved by the full Senate today.

The bill, S-1918, would provide that, beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, pupils who reside on federal property at the Naval Weapons Station Earle would be enrolled in the schools of the district in which the pupils reside in accordance with an enrollment schedule determined by the executive county superintendent of schools.  The bill replaces an agreement dating back to the 1980’s.

“I am glad this issue is finally on its way to being resolved and the students at the Navy Weapons Station Earle can go to school in the town they live in,” said Senator Ruiz (D-Essex).  “These children are already very much a part of Colts Neck because they participate in community activities and programs; they should be able to go to the schools as well.”

“Both Tinton Falls and Colts Neck are part of my district.  These kids have to go out of their way to get to school, which is about an hour,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth).  “This legislation will allow students to go to school closer to their homes, so they will not be burdened with the distance.”

Military children who live at the Naval Weapons Station Earle currently go to school in Tinton Falls, which overlaps with the base; however, it takes those students almost an hour to get to their schools.  The township of Colts Neck also overlaps with the base, more specifically, it overlaps with the residential part of the base.  Colts Neck schools are significantly closer than the Tinton Falls counterparts.  The bill would require Colts Neck to accept the military children from Tinton Falls.

Additionally, Tinton Falls schools are overcrowded and the town’s population is expected to grow, further straining the district.  Colts Neck, on the other hand, is expected to see a population decrease in not only its residents, but also its students.  This new policy would allow for Tinton Falls to have more room in its schools and Colts Neck to fill its classrooms.

Aid from the federal government is given to Tinton Falls as a partial payment to educate these military children.  If these students transfer to Colts Neck, the funding would follow them to that district.

The bill was approved by the Senate by a vote of 28-0, and next heads to the Assembly for further consideration.