Sea Isle School Board Decides to Accept Tuition Students

That was the message the local board of education wants to get out to the surrounding districts. Sea Isle City will start to accept tuition students beginning in September.

The board has been investigating options for the one-school district, whose enrollment has been dwindling over the past several years. At present, 101 students attend the pre-kindergarten through eighth grade school, with classes ranging from a high of 16 students (fifth grade) to a low of five (third grade).

Accepting students from other districts would be a way to increase enrollment in the district, where all classes below fifth grade have single-digit enrollments.

McCallum also said that moving forward with accepting students now would be most advantageous as surrounding districts namely Upper Township, are facing larger class sizes and cuts in programs that are still in place in Sea Isle City.

The district will accept tuition students, at a rate to be set as equal to neighboring Stone Harbor and Avalon, both of which also take students on a tuition basis. At present tuition costs are expected to be in the $2,500 to $2,800 range annually.

The resolution also placed a maximum of 18 students in any grade from first through eighth grade and 15 in pre-K and kindergarten.

There were concerns over the wording of any contract especially in the area of special education students. If a student is found to have special education needs, the child's home district, rather than Sea Isle City, would be responsible for the evaluation, determination and cost of providing for that student's educational needs.

Unlike charter schools, where 90 percent of the per-pupil coast leaves the home district and is sent to the charter school, tuition is paid by the parent and not by the home district.

The vote was unanimous by the School Board - Sea Isle City will begin accepting students on a tuition basis when the doors open in September.