Lakewood proposal, which changes where some students go to school, irks teachers union

LAKEWOOD – For the second time in the past year, the Lakewood School District has proposed a plan that will change where some students go to school, according to a letter sent to parents.

The move has teachers’ union leaders upset, claiming they were only told about it days before it was approved by the Board of Education.

“The lack of communication and professional courtesy towards our staff experiences was made evident most recently when our educators were made aware of a grade level being moved to another elementary school after parents were informed,” Lakewood Education Association Vice-President Cliff Mann told the board at a recent meeting. “Leaving us unable to answer the questions and concerns the staff may have had.”

Under the proposal, set to take effect for the 2024-2025 school year, Spruce Street School, which currently serves only first graders, will also house all district second graders.

More: Lakewood teachers' union, LEA, claims student misbehavior, low morale affecting work

In addition, Clifton Avenue Grade School and Oak Street School, which had housed Grades 2 to 6, will now include those in Grades 3 to 6.

All other district schools — Ella G. Clarke School, Piner Elementary School, Lakewood Middle School and Lakewood High School — will keep the same grades as before.

“This grade reconfiguration allows for improved instructional experiences and greater alignment of resources and practices,” Superintendent Laura Winters told parents in the letter. “We look forward to the enhancement of our educational programs and are confident that these changes will positively impact our students and school community.”

The grade shift and the teacher transfers that will follow drew criticism from the Lakewood Education Association, which listed the move as one of several issues causing union angst.

They noted the changes were approved at the March 15 school board meeting, two days after staff and parents were informed of the plan.

“We ask that the district's administration involve and collaborate with staff when changes are being proposed,” Mann said. “And ask for faculty input before these changes take place to make Lakewood schools a safe, healthy and amicable learning environment.”

More: Lakewood Schools consultant fires back at 'twisted' and 'skewed' state report

The shift marks the second time in less than a year that grade changes were announced.

Prior to the current 2023-2024 school year, officials instituted a major grade realignment that affected all district schools except Lakewood High School.

The biggest change impacted incoming sixth graders, who stopped entering Lakewood Middle School and instead remained in elementary school. Lakewood Middle School now serves students in Grades 7 and 8.

More: Lakewood grade shake-up means new schools for some

That also meant that Clifton Avenue Grade School and Oak Street School began serving students in Grades 2 to 6, instead of 2 to 5, while Ella G. Clarke School now serves those in Grades 3 to 6, instead of 3 to 5.

“According to the superintendent, the Lakewood School District’s elementary school reconfiguration allows the district to maximize its resources in the earlier grades in order to accelerate student learning and close achievement gaps that may exist in preschool, kindergarten and first grade students, before the gaps widen,” District Spokesman Michael Inzelbuch said via email at the time. “In addition, rising sixth grade students have the advantage of staying another year in elementary school, a practice that is associated with higher student attainment, and less disciplinary problems.”

Joe Strupp is an award-winning journalist with 30 years’ experience who covers education and several local communities for APP.com and the Asbury Park Press. He is also the author of four books, including Killing Journalism on the state of the news media, and an adjunct media professor at Rutgers University and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Reach him at jstrupp@gannettnj.com and at 732-413-3840. Follow him on Twitter at @joestrupp

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Lakewood Schools proposal would reconfigure grades for schools