Most likely they are the same people

In order to have efficient bus routes, I think that changing the middle and high school start times means the elementary schools would have to start earlier, basically flipping the schedule. That will add a whole other level of complexity when it comes to community buy-in. While some parents may like an earlier start time for elementary kids, many may not, especially w/r/t babysitting after school, since they would also get out earlier.

Yes there certainly is not money to increase busing costs by not double stacking the bus usage.

Why must her be qualifiers? Can't we use GPA and teacher recommendations? That is how it use to be done in MBSH and still is in many/most? schools. Or why not set a limit that is based on class rank? Only top 10%? I think what many in the audience were asking for was rather than just opinions/suggestions of the BOE, Admin, or public being used to determine policy, that a thoughtful analytic processes with a deadline assessing best practices for AP class admittance be used to set the policy. For example, you commit to a 60 days analysis that includes contacting other leading school districts in NJ and across the country (10-20), reaching out to experts in AP administration, reviewing published research on the subject , conducting an online community survey for parents and students, and completing interviews/surveys with our HIgh school teachers. The results would then be gathered, analyzed, and presented to the community with the BOE's policy recommendation. This policy would then be subject to review at regular intervals - maybe every 2 or 3 years. This type of approach ought to be used for many of the issues facing the district and is in fact standard operating procedure at many school districts.

This sounds like a monumental waste of our staff's time. MBHS has been the definition of success in its AP program -- why re invent this wheel? Our staff already knows what works for our student body, the system is tweaked often but it does not need to be re-invented. It would be far better use of resources to evaluate what program changes would be best for the non AP students although judging by the college acceptances of the middle percentiles of each graduating class, MBHS again provides the platinum example of success for those students as well. Please note since you only have elementary aged children the high school has done a great deal to expand its non AP offerings during the past decade. The arts program was greatly expanded; the science research program has been a huge success and was specifically geared towards non-AP level students, many athletes have recently gotten scholarships to prestigious schools based upon their athletic prowess; the music department has been recognized as a top 100 program nationally for decades. Also note, when AP class enrollment was expanded during past decade, "too much homework" complaints immediately followed....MBHS staff know how to achieve success. Why doesn't the community stop badgering them and let them get on with educating our students to the best of their ability.

As far as teacher recommendations are concerned ... I don't think the MHS faculty wants to touch that monster with a ten-foot pole!

20yearmiller - I agree that historically MBSH has been "one of the bet districts around", however, in order to remain so we need to continue to improve not just rest our laurels. I am not sure how this can be done without clear priorities, policies and processes? There are many districts innovating in NJ and across the country and these are the kids are children will be competing with. Given that we now have a 2% tax cap and it appears the BOE has agreed to 2% annual raises for our teachers and admin for the next 3 years - which represent 80% of our budget, I don't see how we can maintain our current level of educational excellence, let along improve it, without an innovative vision for our district and the tools in place to effectively research, plan, implement, and monitor and evaluate our progress towards creating a more efficient and innovative school district. FYI: I am aware of a number of individuals who have begun or are considering running for the BOE.

Noreen - that is interesting and important point .... but I am a bit confused because it is not consistent with the projections provided by the school which show small increases over the next few years - more or less level. Can you point us to the data? Also do you know the timeframe of the projected decline? My understanding is that the demographics cycle - do you know where any info on what the cycles look like and where we currently are might be found?

Haven't seen any district projections. I am basing comment on 2010 census data which is listed on library site. In 2010 there were 1, 240 children ages 0-4
In 2000 there were 1, 740 children ages 0-4. 480 FEWER children aged 0-4 in 2010. Nationally this echo baby boom has peaked about 4 years ago. MBHS's largest class has already graduated. Most recent kindergarten was quite low; expect future kindergartens to be on the low side and larger classes will be graduating as kindergarten size continues to fall. Of course new families will move to town but unrealistic to think we will sustain recent levels of enrollment.

So why not rely on GPAs/class rank, SATs, and State test scores? Limit the number of seats and take the top x% of the class based on availability. These are objective measures. But again, to my previous point, the criteria ought to be current best practices, academic research, and expert analysis not lay discussion and opinions of the parents or the BOE.

Hedley's point is correct. Millburn has to have 100% objective criteria to avoid the parent backlash.

If one thing is clear whatever the district does some group will complain. Any criteria will leave some outside and that group will complain. No criteria would result in the need to a lottery type situation and those outside would complain. Lose criteria would lead to some complaining that the some people can not keep up and the rigor of the class is being diluted. And on and one. You can not make all the people happy.

Carolyn, MHS does not have a "class rank." Senior year they compute the decile you are in, but not before then. Also, if admission to APs were based on grade in that subject matter, I think there would be too many eligible students. For example if you have to had an A average in all your English classes to get into AP English Language and Composition, and there are 20 spots in the class, I am sure there are more than 20 kids (from two grades) who have A averages in English. Further, SATs are not taken until end of junior year -- too late for students who are trying to qualify to take AP classes during sophomore and junior years. Finally, state standardized tests are too broad. Have you ever seen the percentage of Millburn kids who are on the top levels on these tests?

Jessica - Our public school system is for all the children in our community, not just those who go to the top schools. The idea that we should base school policy on "college admissions prospects for the brightest students" which represent maybe 20% or even 30% of our kids is patently unfair to the vast majority. Why should the entire community be funding a school district designed only to support college prospects of the top students? We need to create a curriculum and quite frankly a school community that supports all of our kids regardless of achievement level from elementary school through high school to reach their highest potential and to develop confidence in the skills and special talents they have. Even in regards to the "brightest", I think there is a strong argument to be made that we don't even serve these kids well because we back load all the programs into AP courses rather than providing real TAG programs in the elmentary and middle schools.