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Cranford Public Schools March 26, 2018

Demographic and Utilization Study

1

Introduction

The Cranford Public School District has engaged Ross Haber and Associates to conduct a

study which comprises demographics, facility utilization and grade level organization. The first

part of the study will include a five year enrollment projection as well as providing information

regarding selected community demographics. The second part of the study will provide an

analysis of the current utilization of each of the elementary and middle schools.1 The grade

level organization component will examine the current grade level structure as well as an

analysis of current attendance zones.

The Cranford Public Schools currently comprise seven buildings housing grades pre-

Kindergarten through 12th grade. There is one K-8 building; one building housing grades 3-8;

one K-5 building; one 3-5 building; one K-2 building; one pre-Kindergarten-2 building; and one

high school housing grades 9-12. Walnut and Bloomingdale elementary schools each have one

section of tuition based full-day kindergarten classes. The total enrollment in the Cranford Public

Schools was 3,943 students as of October, 2017.

Along with determining efficiency this study will also provide an analysis of classroom

space in conjunction with the enrollment projections. This analysis will help the District to

determine if there is enough available classroom space in the District to accommodate a full day

kindergarten program. The projections will also indicate if when implemented will it be

sustainable over time. The District does currently have a tuition based full day program in the

Walnut Avenue School.

Executive Summary

1. The total enrollment in the Cranford Public Schools grew from 3,878 in the 2012-

13 school year to 3,943 in 2017-18. This is an increase of 65 students or

approximately 1.65%.

2, The total enrollment in the District is projected to remain stable. The projected

enrollment for 2022-23 is 3,935 which indicates stability. There is one large

housing development which has received approval from the Cranford Planning

and Zoning Board which could potentially add 99 additional students to the

enrollment projection.

3. The K-5 enrollment declined from 1,704 in 2012-13 to 1,665 in 2017-18. That is

a decrease of 39 students or approximately 2.3%.

4. The K-5 enrollment is projected to remain stable increasing by only 3 students by

the 2022-23 school year. However, new construction could add 50 students to the

K-5 enrollment.

5. The enrollment in grades 6 - 8 increased from 893 in 2012-13 to 932 in 2017-18.

This is an increase of 39 students or approximately 4.2%. The enrollment in

grades 6-8 is projected to increase to 942 in 2022-23. This is a marginal increase

of 10 students. The new housing development could add an additional 39

students to the middle school grades.

6. The high school enrollment increased from 1,124 students in 2013-14 to 1,203 in

2017-18. This is an increase of 79 students or approximately 6.57%.

7. The high school enrollment is projected to decrease to 1,172 in 2022-23. This is a

1 In Cranford the middle schools are housed in buildings which have other grades.



2

decrease of 31 students or approximately 2.58%. This decrease may be offset by

20 projected students from the new housing development.

Table 1: Summary of Enrollment History and Projections

Table 1 is a summary of projections by District and by school showing changes from

2012-13 to 2017-18 and from 2017-18 to 2022-23. This does not include the potential 99

students from the new housing development.

Enrollment Projections

Methodology

This study used the cohort survival method for enrollment projections. The cohort

survival method follows students as they move from grade to grade and calculates the percentage

of growth and/or decline as they move through the system. This is tracked for six years and an

average rate of growth is calculated to produce a five-year growth/decline ratio. The final year

of actual enrollment is then multiplied by the average growth/decline ratio (also referred to as the

migration ratio) to project the next five years of enrollment. Kindergarten projections are based

upon a comparison of children born in a given year and the number of kindergarten students

enrolled five years later. For example, students born in 2007 became kindergarten students in

2012. This ratio of birth to kindergarten is calculated over a six year period to develop a five

year average migration ratio (e.g.-if 100 children were born in 2007 and there were 75

kindergarten students in 2012 the migration ratio would be .75). This average is then applied to

each year's live births for the projections. The birth data is provided by the New Jersey

Department of Health.

Cohort projections do not include any growth based upon projected construction. In

communities in which there is significant growth in new housing developments the potential

impact of students to the schools is added into the cohort table.

2012-13 2017-18 Difference Percent 2022-23 Diff Percent

Difference

District 3,878 3,943 65 1.68% 3,935 -8 -0.20%

Bloomingdale Ave 240 251 11 4.58% 245 -6 -2.39%

Brookside Ave 412 342 -70 -16.99% 322 -20 -5.85%

Orange Ave 754 766 12 1.59% 781 15 1.96%

Livingston Ave 263 260 -3 -1.14% 286 26 10.00%

Walnut Ave 224 264 40 17.86% 274 10 3.79%

Hillside Ave 704 714 10 1.42% 702 -12 -1.68%

Cranford HS 1,124 1,203 79 7.03% 1,172 -31 -2.58%

Self-Contained 100 89 -11 -11.00% 94 5 5.62%

Pre-Kindergarten 57 54 -3 -5.26% 59 5 9.26%



3

Facility Utilization

The facility utilization component of the study merged the results of the projection with

the actual room availability in each of the District's schools. The purpose was to provide to the

Board of Education data to do long term planning. The steps in this process consisted of the

following:

1. A survey was provided to each of the building principals eliciting information

regarding the current utilization of their building. This allowed the

principals to provide real time information about his or her school and to

have input into the process.

2. The floor plans for each building were checked and analyzed in

conjunction with the principal's survey responses. 3. An on-site visit was made to each building and it provided an opportunity

to discuss any differences between the floor plans and the survey

responses.

4. Tables and narratives were prepared showing the findings of the facility

study.

Housing

Between 2014 and 2017 there were approximately 33 new construction permits issued for

two family houses and 3 for single family houses.2 It is assumed that most of the construction

from these permits has been completed and any school aged children from these new homes are

already in the schools.

In the course of this study we learned of two new housing developments which have been

discussed in the community. The first was a development at 750 Walnut Avenue. This is a large

mixed residential/commercial development. As of now there is no indication as to if and when

this will be approved. Further there is no definitive construction plan regarding the number and

type of residential units to be constructed.

There is a plan for 225 residential units at 215-135 Birchwood Avenue. Table 2 shows

the breakdown of units, number of bedrooms and percentage of affordable units to be built.

Table 2: New Residential Units

Table 2 breaks down the total number of units and provides the potential number of

school aged children that can be reasonably projected from this development. The student yield

parameters shown in the top row are based upon similar development in comparable communities in

2 Source: New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. New Jersey Municipalities are required to file permit for

new housing construction and certificates of occupancy to this department on a monthly basis.

Yield 0.09 0.58 0.09 0.75 1.05

Bedrooms 1 BR 2 BR Total 1 BR 2 BR 3 BR Total Units

Units 66 125 191 3 24 7 34

Students 0 73 73 0 18 8 26

Market Rate Affordable Units

215-235 Birchwood Avenue Redevelopment Plan



4

New Jersey. The total number of students projected is 99 . This is broken down as follows: K-5= 70; 6-

8= 20; 9-12=9. This is based upon a 7:2; 1 ratio which, on average, has been a reliable ratio of

elementary to middle to high students in previous studies we have completed. The Birchwood

Development would impact the following schools: Orange Avenue School and Bloomingdale

Avenue School. Since January, 2016 an estimated 880 homes were sold in Cranford.3 There

are currently 73 homes for sale in Cranford.4 In that same time period the total enrollment in the

Cranford Schools increased by 55 students. It is assumed that in that same period there were

students who also left the Cranford Schools (by relocating and not by graduation). The cohort

projection reflects students who leave and enter the school over the course of a year. The

information on sold homes and homes for sale is included in the report as informational and does

not add additional students to the projection.

Table 3: Selected Community Demographics

Table 3 shows selected demographic data points and compares Cranford with Union

County and the State of New Jersey. The table indicates that the total population in Cranford

3 This estimate is based upon a compilation of sold existing homes from several different sources including Zillow,

Trulia and Realtor.com. 4 Same sources as in footnote 3.

2010 2016 Diff Percent

Population 22,414 23,531 1,117 4.98%

Median Age 41.70 42.60 0.90 2.16%

Housing 8,545 8,883 338 3.96%

Median Income $107,052 $116,851 $9,799 9.15%

Mean Income $128,815 $132,807 $3,992 3.10%


Population 529,547 550,436 20,889 3.94%

Median Age 37.80 38.20 0.40 1.06%

Housing 198,668 201,107 2,439 1.23%

Median Income $66,791 $70,746 $3,955 5.92%

Mean Income $94,349 $102,185 $7,836 8.31%


Population 8,721,577 8,915,456 193,879 2.22%

Median Age 38.50 39.50 1.00 2.60%

Housing 3,529,033 3,586,442 57,409 1.63%

Median Income $69,811 $73,702 $3,891 5.57%

Mean Income $93,475 $101,634 $8,159 8.73%

Cranford Township

Union County

State of New Jersey



5

increased at a higher rate than the County and the State. The median age increased marginally

and is slightly higher than both the County and the State. However, median age does indicate

that there are a large percentage of families with school aged children. That also accounts for the

general stability of the school enrollment. The last three areas on the table: housing (units) and

median income have increased at a greater rate than the County and the State while mean income

(average) has increased at a lower rate. However both mean and median income in Cranford is

considerably higher than the County and the State.



6

Enrollment Projection

and

Facility Utilization Tables



7

Table 4: District-Wide Enrollment History and Projection without New Housing Development

Year Births K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 K-5 6-8 9-12 Sub SCSE PK Total

2012-13 239 0.86 206 260 300 307 324 307 328 264 301 275 309 270 270 1704 893 1124 3721 100 57 3878

1.18 1.02 1.02 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.03 1.00 1.01 0.99 0.94 0.99

2013-14 242 0.90 218 243 266 305 306 324 308 338 265 303 272 292 266 1662 911 1133 3706 89 52 3847

1.16 1.02 1.00 0.99 1.00 1.02 0.99 1.00 0.98 0.99 0.99 1.01

2014-15 264 0.86 227 252 248 265 303 306 330 306 339 260 301 270 296 1601 975 1127 3703 106 64 3873

1.23 1.05 1.03 1.04 1.00 1.02 1.01 1.01 0.94 1.02 0.99 0.99

2015-16 215 1.10 237 280 265 255 276 304 311 334 310 317 265 299 267 1617 955 1148 3720 104 64 3888

1.23 1.05 1.05 1.06 1.03 1.03 1.04 1.03 0.95 1.04 1.00 1.02

2016-17 230 0.99 228 292 295 278 270 284 313 324 344 293 329 264 306 1647 981 1192 3820 91 63 3974

1.18 1.02 1.00 1.02 1.04 1.04 1.02 0.99 0.97 0.94 1.00 1.01

2017-18 211 1.13 239 269 298 295 283 281 294 318 320 333 276 328 266 1665 932 1203 3800 89 54 3943

Av 0.97 1.20 1.03 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.01 0.97 1.00 0.98 1.00

Year K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 K-5 6-8 9-12 TOT SCSE PK Total

2018-19 227 220 287 277 304 301 286 287 300 321 310 333 270 328 1675 908 1241 3824 97 59 3980

2019-20 230 223 264 296 283 310 304 292 293 303 311 310 326 270 1680 888 1217 3785 96 59 3940

2020-21 243 236 268 272 302 289 313 310 298 296 294 311 304 326 1680 904 1235 3819 97 61 3977

2021-22 239 232 283 276 277 308 292 319 316 301 287 294 305 304 1668 936 1190 3794 96 60 3950

2022-23 230 223 278 291 282 283 311 298 325 319 292 287 288 305 1668 942 1172 3782 94 59 3935

Cranford Public Schools without New Development

Table 4 reflects the enrollment projection for the District without the new housing development at Birchwood.



8

Table 5: District-Wide Enrollment History and Projection with New Housing Development

Year Births K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 K-5 6-8 9-12 Sub SCSE PK Total

2012-13 239 0.86 206 260 300 307 324 307 328 264 301 275 309 270 270 1704 893 1124 3721 100 57 3878

1.18 1.02 1.02 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.03 1.00 1.01 0.99 0.94 0.99

2013-14 242 0.90 218 243 266 305 306 324 308 338 265 303 272 292 266 1662 911 1133 3706 89 52 3847

1.16 1.02 1.00 0.99 1.00 1.02 0.99 1.00 0.98 0.99 0.99 1.01

2014-15 264 0.86 227 252 248 265 303 306 330 306 339 260 301 270 296 1601 975 1127 3703 106 64 3873

1.23 1.05 1.03 1.04 1.00 1.02 1.01 1.01 0.94 1.02 0.99 0.99

2015-16 215 1.10 237 280 265 255 276 304 311 334 310 317 265 299 267 1617 955 1148 3720 104 64 3888

1.23 1.05 1.05 1.06 1.03 1.03 1.04 1.03 0.95 1.04 1.00 1.02

2016-17 230 0.99 228 292 295 278 270 284 313 324 344 293 329 264 306 1647 981 1192 3820 91 63 3974

1.18 1.02 1.00 1.02 1.04 1.04 1.02 0.99 0.97 0.94 1.00 1.01

2017-18 211 1.13 239 269 298 295 283 281 294 318 320 333 276 328 266 1665 932 1203 3800 89 54 3943

Av 0.97 1.20 1.03 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.01 0.97 1.00 0.98 1.00

Year K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 K-5 6-8 9-12 TOT SCSE PK Total

2018-19 227 220 287 277 304 301 286 287 300 321 310 333 270 328 1675 908 1241 3824 97 59 3980

2019-20 230 227 264 300 287 314 308 294 295 305 313 312 326 270 1700 894 1221 3815 96 59 3970

2020-21 243 241 272 276 310 297 321 318 304 302 298 315 306 326 1717 924 1245 3886 97 61 4044

2021-22 239 236 293 284 286 320 304 327 324 307 293 298 309 306 1723 958 1206 3887 96 60 4043

2022-23 230 228 283 302 290 292 323 310 334 327 298 293 292 309 1718 971 1192 3881 94 59 4034

Cranford Public Schools with New Development

Table 5 is the cohort projection with students projected from the new housing development at Birchwood. This is based on

the assumption that this development will be fully built out and occupied by the end of the projected period with students entering the

District at various times.



9

Chart 1: Comparison of Projections with and Without the New Development

Note: Red Line = Projection with new housing development

Blue Line = Projection without new housing development.

3878

3847

38733888

3974

3943

3980

3940

3977

39503935

3878

3847

38733888

3974

3943

39803970

4044 40434034

3700

3750

3800

3850

3900

3950

4000

4050

4100

2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23



10

Table 6: Bloomingdale Avenue Chart 2: Bloomindale Avenue

Year K 1 2 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2012-13 69 79 92 240 5 245

2013-14 58 77 82 217 9 226

2014-15 72 69 79 220 4 224

2015-16 66 83 70 219 3 222

2016-17 81 82 87 250 250

2017-18 81 83 87 251 251

Av

Year K 1 2 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2018-19 69 92 86 247 247

2019-20 70 78 96 244 244

2020-21 78 90 87 255 255

2021-22 73 84 82 239 239

2022-23 70 83 87 240 240

Bloomingdale Ave

245

226 224 222

250 251247

244

255

239 240

200

210

220

230

240

250

260



11

Table 7: Bloomingdale Avenue Utilization Tables

Table 7 shows the projected utilization tables from 2018-19 through 2022-23. The tables contain the enrollment for each year,

the total number of full sized classrooms, the number of rooms needed to house general education classrooms and the average class

size. This table is based upon the current organization levels (half-day kindergarten). The class sizes are based upon a maximum of

25 students per grade. The row marked rooms indicates the number of students divided by 23 for kindergarten and 25 for grades 1

and 2. The actual is the number rounded up to the next whole number. The difference between the row marked rooms and the

row marked actual is the amount of available seats in that grade before another section needs to be added. This will apply to all

subsequent utilization tables in this study. It is also important to note that the column labeled "Diff" indicates rooms which are

not used for general or special education but for other purposes.

Bloomingdale Avenue School currently houses grades K-2. There are three sections of 1/2 day kindergarten and one section of

full day (paid) kindergarten. Grades 1 and 2 have four sections each. There is also 1 self-contained classroom. There are a total of

13 full sized classrooms in this building of which are being used for K-2 classes and one LLD class. One full sized room is currently

K 1 2 SCSE PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

21 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2018-19 69 92 86 247

Rooms 1.64 3.68 3.44 8.76 13 4.2

Actual 3 4 4 1 12 13 1

Av Cl Size 15 23 22 20


21 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2019-20 70 78 96 244

Rooms 1.67 3.12 3.84 8.63 13 4.4

Actual 3 4 4 1 12 12 0

Av Cl Size 16 20 24 20


21 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2020-21 78 90 87 255

Rooms 1.86 3.60 3.48 8.94 13 4.1

Actual 3 4 4 1 12 12 0

Av Cl Size 17 23 22 21

General Education / PK/Special Education


Bloomingdale

Bloomingdale



21 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2021-22 73 84 82 239

Rooms 1.74 3.36 3.28 8.38 13 4.6

Actual 3 4 4 1 12 12 0

Av Cl Size 16 21 21 19


21 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2022-23 70 83 87 240

Rooms 1.67 3.32 3.48 8.47 13 4.5

Actual 3 4 4 1 12 12 0

Av Cl Size 16 21 22 20

Bloomingdale


Bloomingdale




12

being used for Resource and Achievement programs. Art and Music share space in the Library. Speech and guidance are located in

small rooms not suited for large group instruction. The projection indicates that this school could house 3 sections of full day

kindergarten in that they already are using three rooms to accommodate both the half-day and full day (paid) programs. In doing

this the school would continue to have the music and art program share space in the library.5

5 This number does not include an estimated 20% increase in kindergarten enrollment when changing from a half day to full day kindergarten program. See

Table 18 on page 24.



13

Table 8: Brookside Place Chart 3: Brookside Place

Sch

Year K 1 2 3 4 5 Total

2012-13 45 63 78 67 84 75 412

2013-14 57 52 63 80 67 83 402

2014-15 39 59 53 62 80 70 363

2015-16 56 53 58 51 64 80 362

2016-17 39 68 58 65 51 63 344

2017-18 38 49 74 62 66 53 342

Av

Year K 1 2 3 4 5 Total

2018-19 44 46 51 76 63 67 347

2019-20 45 53 48 53 77 64 340

2020-21 48 55 52 52 53 75 335

2021-22 47 56 55 50 49 52 309

2022-23 46 57 59 54 52 48 316

Brookside

412402

363 362

344 342 347340 335

309316

250

270

290

310

330

350

370

390

410

430



14

Table 9: Brookside Place Utilization Tables

Brookside Place School currently houses grades K-5. The total number of classrooms needed to accommodate the K-5

enrollment is projected to be 15 during the next five years using a maximum class size of 23 for kindergarten and 25 for grades 1-5..

There is an art room (which has a kiln); 3 rooms are subdivided (using movable dividers) and these rooms accommodate speech,

OT/PT, guidance and a home base for teachers. There is one full sized room for World Languages (Spanish). The projection shows

that Brookside would need 1 additional classroom if it were to implement a full day kindergarten program. There are three rooms

which are sub-divided, it is possible that one of these rooms could be repurposed to accommodate a full day kindergarten and address

other programmatic needs which have to be taken into account which are currently are located in one of these rooms. It is possible that one

of the rooms, depending on which of these rooms has the least daily utilization, could be used for full day kindergarten.6



K 1 2 3 4 5 SCSE PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

21 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2018-19 2018-19 44 46 51 76 63 67 347

Rooms Rooms 1.05 1.84 2.04 3.04 2.52 2.68 13.17 20 6.8

Actual Actual 1 2 3 3 3 3 15 20 5

Av Cl Size Av Cl Size 22 23 17 25 21 22 22

2019-20 K 1 2 3 4 5 SCSE PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

Rooms 21 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2019-20 Actual 45 53 48 53 77 64 340

Rooms Av Cl Size 1.07 2.12 1.92 2.12 3.08 2.56 12.87 20 7.1

Actual 2 3 2 3 3 3 16 20 4

Av Cl Size 15 18 24 18 26 21 21


21 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2020-21 2020-21 48 55 52 52 53 75 335

Rooms Rooms 1.14 2.20 2.08 2.08 2.12 3.00 12.62 20 7.4

Actual Actual 2 3 3 2 3 3 16 20 4


Brookside


Brookside


Brookside



21 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2021-22 2021-22 47 56 55 50 49 52 309

Rooms Rooms 1.12 2.24 2.20 2.00 1.96 2.08 11.60 20 8.4

Actual Actual 2 3 3 3 2 3 16 20 4



21 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2022-23 2022-23 46 57 59 54 52 48 316

Rooms Rooms 1.10 2.28 2.36 2.16 2.08 1.92 11.90 20 8.1

Actual Actual 1 3 3 3 3 2 15 20 5



Brookside


Brookside



15

Table 10: Hillside Avenue Chart 4: Hillside Avenue

Year K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2012-13 22 47 47 59 65 58 142 110 154 704 49 753

2013-14 32 31 52 45 58 63 135 149 111 676 39 715

2014-15 37 37 31 52 48 61 163 139 151 719 52 771

2015-16 42 54 44 35 55 50 152 165 142 739 50 789

2016-17 35 48 59 49 44 61 133 160 174 763 763

2017-18 36 46 48 58 47 48 140 136 155 714 714

Av

Year K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2018-19 33 47 49 50 61 48 120 146 137 691 691

2019-20 34 43 50 51 54 65 123 130 133 683 683

2020-21 36 44 43 55 55 58 153 127 132 703 703

2021-22 35 47 48 42 57 58 141 156 130 714 714

2022-23 34 45 49 42 46 60 136 144 156 712 712

Hillside Ave

753

715

771

789

763

714

691683

703714 712

660

680

700

720

740

760

780

800



16

Table 11: Hillside Avenue Utilization Tables

Hillside Avenue School currently houses students in grades Kindergarten through eight. This is a combined elementary and

middle school. The K-5 component operates as a regular K-5 elementary school and grades 6-8 follow a typical middle school

schedule. There are 32 full sized classrooms in the school. Of these 12 are used for the elementary school and 18 are used for subject

specific middle school programs. There is 1 large classroom used for special education. There is one dedicated band room and one

dedicated art room. The tables above indicate that for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 there are two rooms over the total of 30 rooms

needed for general and special education. These two rooms are the art and band room, neither of which can or should be repurposed.

The projection indicates that Hillside would need two classrooms to accommodate a full day kindergarten program. One means of

possibly recapturing space may be a function of middle school scheduling. In reviewing the percentage of utilization at the middle

school the efficiency is high (there are relatively few open classrooms in any given period). There are some indications of rooms that

are open and others indicate that they are not available. It may be possible to find a classroom in proximity to elementary school

students that can be opened up by relocating the programs or classes that are in those rooms to alternate rooms but it may make it

difficult for set up and instructional delivery. For example, if might be possible to open up room 16 by relocating the programs

K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SCSE PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

21 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2018-19 33 47 49 50 61 48 120 146 137 691

Rooms 0.79 1.88 1.96 2.00 2.44 1.92 4.80 5.84 5.48 27.11 44 16.9

Actual 1 2 2 2 3 2 5 6 6 1 30 44 14

Av Cl Size 17 24 25 25 20 24 24 24 23 24


21 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2019-20 34 43 50 51 54 65 123 130 133 683

Rooms 1.62 1.72 2.00 2.04 2.16 2.60 4.92 5.20 5.32 27.58 44 16.4

Actual 1 2 2 2 3 2 5 6 6 1 30 44 14

Av Cl Size 17 22 25 26 18 33 25 22 22 25


21 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2020-21 36 44 43 55 55 58 153 127 132 703

Rooms 1.71 1.76 1.72 2.20 2.20 2.32 6.12 5.08 5.28 28.39 44 15.6

Actual 1 2 2 2 3 3 6 6 5 1 31 44 13

Av Cl Size 18 22 22 28 18 19 26 21 26 22

Hillside


Hillside


Hillside



21 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2021-22 35 47 48 42 57 58 141 156 130 714

Rooms 1.67 1.88 1.92 1.68 2.28 2.32 5.64 6.24 5.20 28.83 44 15.2

Actual 1 2 2 2 2 3 6 6 6 1 31 44 13

Av Cl Size 18 24 24 21 29 19 24 26 22 23


21 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2022-23 34 45 49 42 46 60 136 144 156 712

Rooms 1.62 1.80 1.96 1.68 1.84 2.40 5.44 5.76 6.24 28.74 44 15.3

Actual 1 2 3 2 2 2 6 6 7 1 32 44 12

Av Cl Size 17 23 16 21 23 30 23 24 22 23

Hillside


Hillside




17

currently in that room to rooms that are open during each period. It is important to emphasize that this building is operating efficiently

so this is only a suggestion if it works in the master schedule.7 Consideration must be given to unanticipated consequences that might

arise from changes as they may have programmatic impacts.





18

Table 12: Orange Avenue Chart 5: Orange Avenue

Year 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2012-13 90 82 95 186 154 147 754 3 757

2013-14 98 93 84 173 189 154 791 3 794

2014-15 80 96 89 167 167 188 787 12 799

2015-16 84 82 96 159 169 168 758 758

2016-17 78 87 85 180 164 170 764 764

2017-18 88 87 90 154 182 165 766 766

Av

Year 3 4 5 6 7 8 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2018-19 91 90 88 167 154 184 774 774

2019-20 91 92 88 169 163 170 773 773

2020-21 93 93 93 157 171 164 771 771

2021-22 89 103 94 178 160 171 795 795

2022-23 90 90 102 162 181 163 788 788

Orange Ave

757

794799

758764 766

774 773 771

795

788

730

740

750

760

770

780

790

800

810



19

3 4 5 6 7 8 SCSE PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2021-22 89 103 94 178 160 171 795

Rooms 3.56 4.12 3.76 7.12 6.40 6.84 31.80 42 10.2

Actual 4 4 4 8 8 7 1 36 42 6

Av Cl Size 22 26 24 22 20 24 23


25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2022-23 90 90 102 162 181 163 788

Rooms 3.60 3.60 4.08 6.48 7.24 6.52 31.52 42 10.5

Actual 4 4 4 7 8 7 1 35 42 7

Av Cl Size 23 23 26 23 23 23 24

Orange


Orange


Table 13: Orange Avenue Utilization Tables

Orange Avenue School currently houses students in grades 3 through 8. The elementary component (grades 3-5) currently

uses 12 full sized classrooms. The middle school for grades 6-8 appears to be using 24 full sized rooms. There is an art room, music

room, band room and computer room. These four rooms comprise a total of 40 full sized classrooms being used. There is a life skills

program, and a mix of science labs. There is also a LLD (special education) room in the school. It appears that this building is

functioning at capacity at this time.


25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2018-19 91 90 88 167 154 184 774

Rooms 3.64 3.60 3.52 6.68 6.16 7.36 30.96 42 11.0

Actual 4 4 4 7 7 8 1 35 42 7

Av Cl Size 23 23 22 24 22 23 23


25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2019-20 91 92 88 169 163 170 773

Rooms 3.64 3.68 3.52 6.76 6.52 6.80 30.92 42 11.1

Actual 4 4 4 7 7 7 1 34 42 8

Av Cl Size 23 23 22 24 23 24 23


25 25 25 25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2020-21 93 93 93 157 171 164 771

Rooms 3.72 3.72 3.72 6.28 6.84 6.56 30.84 42 11.2

Actual 4 4 4 7 7 7 1 34 42 8

Av Cl Size 23 23 23 22 24 23 23

Orange


Orange


Orange




20

Table 14: Livingston Avenue Chart 6: Livingston Avenue

Year 3 4 5 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2012-13 91 93 79 263 263

2013-14 82 88 94 264 264

2014-15 71 79 86 236 236

2015-16 85 75 78 238 7 245

2016-17 86 88 75 249 249

2017-18 87 83 90 260 260

Av

Year 3 4 5 Sub SCSE Total

Total

2018-19 87 87 83 257 257

2019-20 88 87 87 262 262

2020-21 102 88 87 277 277

2021-22 96 99 88 283 283

2022-23 96 95 101 292 292

Livingston

263 264

236

245249

260 257262

277283

292

200

210

220

230

240

250

260

270

280

290

300



21

Table 15: Livingston Avenue Utilization Tables

Livingston Avenue School currently houses students in grades 3-5. There are 17 full sized rooms in this school. There are 4

sections on each grade level using 12 of the 17 classrooms. There is an art room that is shared with Spanish classes, 1 music room

(the large kindergarten room), 1 resource room, 1 room designated as Achievement and Special Activities. It appears that this school

is fully utilized.

3 4 5 SCSE PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2018-19 87 87 83 257

Rooms 3.48 3.48 3.32 10.28 17 6.7

Actual 4 4 4 12 17 5

Av Cl Size 22 22 21 22


25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2019-20 88 87 87 262

Rooms 3.52 3.48 3.48 10.48 17 6.5

Actual 4 4 4 12 17 5

Av Cl Size 22 22 22 22


25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2020-21 102 88 87 277

Rooms 4.08 3.52 3.48 11.08 17 5.9

Actual 4 4 4 12 17 5

Av Cl Size 26 22 22 23

Livingston


Livingston


Livingston



25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2021-22 96 99 88 283

Rooms 3.84 3.96 3.52 11.32 17 5.7

Actual 4 4 4 12 17 5

Av Cl Size 24 25 22 24


25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2022-23 96 95 101 292

Rooms 3.84 3.80 4.04 11.68 17 5.3

Actual 4 4 4 12 17 5

Av Cl Size 24 24 25 24

Livingston


Livingston




22

Table 16: Walnut Avenue Chart 7: Walnut Avenue

Year K 1 2 Sub PKF PK Total

Total

2012-13 70 71 83 224 57 281

2013-14 71 83 69 223 52 275

2014-15 79 87 85 251 64 315

2015-16 73 90 93 256 72 328

2016-17 73 94 91 258 63 321

2017-18 84 91 89 264 9 47 320

Av

Year K 1 2 Sub PK Total

Total

2018-19 74 102 91 267 9 52 328

2019-20 74 90 102 266 9 54 329

2020-21 74 79 90 243 9 54 306

2021-22 77 96 91 264 9 52 325

2022-23 73 93 96 262 9 51 322

Walnut

281275

315

328321 320

328 329

306

325 322

240

250

260

270

280

290

300

310

320

330

340



23

Table 17: Walnut Avenue Utilization Tables

Walnut Avenue School houses students in grades pre-Kindergarten through second. There is one full day tuition based

kindergarten class along with the half-day program. Walnut Avenue also houses a full day paid kindergarten program as well as the

regular half day program. There are currently 20 full sized classrooms 3 of which house kindergarten (including full day) and 8

housing grades one and two (four sections each). The half-day pre-Kindergarten uses 3 full sized classrooms and the full day uses

one. There is a dedicated art room, a dedicated music room (indicated as Activity 1), 2 self-contained special education rooms; a full

sized room for speech; and a full sized room labeled Activity 2. This accounts for the six classrooms in the column marked "Diff."

K 1 2 PK F PK Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

21 25 25 12 15 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2018-19 74 102 91 9 52 328

Rooms 1.76 4.08 3.64 0.75 1.73 10.23 20 9.8

Actual 3 4 4 1 2 14 20 6

Av Cl Size 16 26 23 9 13 22


21 25 25 12 15 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2019-20 74 90 102 9 54 329

Rooms 1.76 3.60 4.08 1.00 1.80 10.44 20 9.6

Actual 3 4 4 1 2 14 20 6

Av Cl Size 16 23 26 9 14 22


21 25 25 12 15 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2020-21 74 79 90 9 54 306

Rooms 1.76 3.16 3.60 0.75 1.80 9.27 20 10.7

Actual 3 4 4 1 2 14 20 6

Av Cl Size 16 20 23 9 14 20

Walnut


Walnut


Walnut



21 25 25 12 15 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2021-22 77 96 91 9 52 325

Rooms 1.83 3.84 3.64 0.75 1.73 10.06 20 9.9

Actual 3 4 4 1 2 14 20 6

Av Cl Size 17 24 23 9 13 21


21 25 25 12 15 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2022-23 73 93 96 9 51 322

Rooms 1.74 3.72 3.84 0.75 1.70 10.05 20 10.0

Actual 3 4 4 1 3 15 20 5

Av Cl Size 16 23 24 9 9 21

Walnut


Walnut




24

Walnut would need three classrooms for a full day kindergarten. It currently is using three rooms (technically 2.5) so it could

accommodate a full day kindergarten program.8





25

Summary

The Cranford Public Schools have shown remarkable stability during the past six years.

That stability is projected to continue during the coming five years. The new residential units

being built on Birchwood Avenue will add approximately 99 students to the K-12 enrollment,

but these students will enter over an extended time period and will be distributed through the

grades (weighted on the lower grades).

The schools appear to be operating efficiently. There are a few less than ideal situations

regarding music and art programs, where in some schools there are dedicated art and music

rooms, while in others art may be on cart and music in shared spaces such as the library. These

situations are going to continue as the enrollment may increase slightly over time with the new

developments.

One of the key questions regarding this study was, could the District implement a full day

kindergarten program with reference to the current room availability. Table 18 below compares

the number of sections currently in existence for the current Kindergarten program and what is

needed to implement a full day kindergarten over the next five years.

Table 18: Projected Full Day Kindergarten Room Requirements

Table 18 shows the current number of rooms used for kindergarten (both half day and

paid full day). The second column is the current number of students, the third column is the

projected number of students, and the fourth column is the projected number of students plus

20%. The 20% represents the average increase in enrollment between kindergarten and first

grade. It is reasonable to expect that once the District offers a full day Kindergarten the majority

of parents now holding their children back or sending them to a private provider will elect to

send their children to the full day program. Under the current organizational structure it does

not appear that there is enough space available in the schools. The next section of this report is

based upon an analysis of several alternative organizational structures for the schools of the

District and provides a recommendation of an organizational change.

School Current Students Students Students 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23

Kindergarten Rooms Current Projected Plus 20%

Bloomingdale 3 69 78 94 4 4 4 4 4

Brookside 1 44 48 58 3 3 3 3 3

Hillside 1 47 47 57 3 3 3 3 3

Walnut 3 74 77 93 4 4 4 4 4

Total 8 14 14 14 14 14

Projected Room Needs



26

Revisioned Schools



27

This study had three components. The first component was an enrollment projection for

the District and for each of the schools. The second component was a facility analysis. After

completing these two parts of the study an analysis was made in order to determine the

relationship between future enrollments and building capacities (as measured by available

classroom space). The third part of this study was, based upon the results of the first two

components, to determine that if through a revision of the current school organizational structure

it would be possible to implement a full day kindergarten program.

There were several important conclusions that came from the enrollment projections.

The first is that the enrollment in Cranford has been level during the past five years and the

projection shows that they will remain level for at least the next five years. That indicates that

whatever changes are made in the District organizational structure they should be sustainable.

The second conclusion was that space is very tight in the District and while the buildings are

used efficiently there are some shortcomings in areas such as art, music and special programs.

All of these programs are provided to all students but in some cases not in optimal locations or

under optimal conditions (e.g.-art or music on a cart).

Another issue is in the current organizational structure. The current structure has one K-

8 school; one 3-5 school; one 3-8 school; one k-5 school; two K-2 schools (one of which has pre-

kindergarten). This is not an efficient organizational structure in terms of inter-grade and inter-

school communications. While there is no question that the Cranford Schools are excellent it

appears that there may be better organizational structures. One of the changes that are part of

the following recommendation is to create a true grade 6-8 middle school.

Based upon our findings we are going to recommend that the Board of Education

and the Central Administration consider the following structure: four primary schools grades K-

2; one 3-5 elementary school; and, one 6-8 middle school. This will unify the grade levels, have

a unified primary school program and promote better vertical discussions and meetings in all

grades.

In coming to this recommendation we looked at several organizational models. These

included four five K-5 schools and one 6-8 middle school. This did not work efficiently in that

it would leave some buildings short space for specials such as music and art. In order to make

the buildings efficient it would require major attendance zone changes and moving students

across the railroad tracks which could potentially require extensive busing for safety reasons.

The second model consisted of four K-3 buildings and two buildings with grades four and five.

While this model was somewhat better than the K-5 model it did not provide the benefit of

providing true unified middle school program. The model we are recommending appears to

meet all of the criteria, including a full day kindergarten program in every primary school. It is

also important to note that in doing this analysis we added an additional twenty percent (20%) to

the kindergarten enrollment projection. As stated earlier in this report the average differential

between Kindergarten and first grade is 20%. We believe that parents who are currently

withholding kindergarten students, or, more likely are placing them in a private facility for

kindergarten would register for a full day program.



28

Methodology

For this part of the study we used a mapping program (GIS-Geographic Information

Systems). This system took a digitized map of Cranford which contains all of the Township's

streets with addresses. We then drew in the current attendance zones, located each school on the

map and the last step was to geocode or match each student to them map. For each student we

had relevant information which included school and grade. With this we could then count

students in different areas and determine, as we made organizational and boundary alignment

changes, how this would impact the schools.

Map 1: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 Model

This map shows the attendance zones for the primary (K-2) schools. Orange Avenue

School would house grades three through five and Hillside would house grades 6-8. The next

section shows the impact on each of the schools.



29

Map 2: Bloomingdale Primary School

Table 19: Bloomingdale Primary School

Table 19 shows the classroom utilization based upon a K-2 structure at Bloomingdale.

There are a total of thirteen full sized rooms in the school including an art, music, and OT/PT. In

this structure the school would need 9 classrooms in order to implement a full day kindergarten...

This would allow the school to have a dedicated art and music room. The projection indicates

that there is enough room for moderate growth in this school under this structure.


21 25 25 Needed (Gr K-2)

2017-18 2017-18 63 58 66 187

Rooms Rooms 1.50 2.32 2.64 6.46 13 6.5

Actual Actual 3 3 3 9 13 4

Av Cl Size Av Cl Size 21 19 22 21

Gen Ed Art Music OT/Tchrs Multi-Purp Speech Library

10 1 1 1 1 1 1

Small

Bloomingdale K-2


Offices (Adm/Nurse/Etc.)



30


21 25 25 Needed (Gr K-2)

2017-18 2017-18 59 79 95 233

Rooms Rooms 1.40 3.16 3.80 8.36 21 12.6



Library Multi-Purp

Gen Ed Sp Ed/OT Art

19 1 1 1 1

Brookside K-2


Full Size Offices (Adm/Nurse/Etc.)

Map 3: Brookside Primary School

Table 20: Brookside Primary School



31

Table 1 shows that Brookside has a total of 21 full sized rooms of which 19 can be used

for general education. With a full day kindergarten the school will need 11 general education

classrooms. With one special ed room (OT) and one art room that will leave 8 full sized

classrooms available for other programs including music and special education (District-wide)

programs and pre-K programs.



32

Map 4: Livingston K-2

Table 21: Livingston K-2


21 25 25 Needed (Gr K-2)

2017-18 2017-18 62 63 69 194

Rooms Rooms 1.48 2.52 2.76 6.76 17 10.2



Gen Ed Art Music Resource Library Multi-Purp Speech

14 1 1 1 1 1 1

Small

Full Size Rooms Other

Livingston K-2





33

Table 21 shows that Livingston has a total of 17 full sized classrooms. In order to

implement a full day kindergarten the school would need a total of 9 general education

classrooms. Currently, in addition to art and music there is a full sized resource room.

Livingston would use a total of 12 full sized rooms leaving 8 classrooms which could be used for

other purposes.



34

Map 5: Walnut K-2

Table 22: Walnut K-2


21 25 25 Needed (Gr K-2)

2017-18 2017-18 67 69 62 61 198

Rooms Rooms 1.60 2.76 2.48 6.84 16 9.2

Actual Actual 4 3 3 3 13 16 3


Gen Ed Art OT Music Speech Multi Purp Library

16 1 1 1 1 1 1

(small rm)

Walnut K-2


Full Size Rooms Other




35

Table 22 shows that Walnut has a total of 16 full sized rooms. In a K-2 scenario with

full day kindergarten they would need 10 full sized rooms for general education. They currently

use 3 rooms to accommodate pre-Kindergarten students for a total of 13. With a dedicated art

room, music room and OT room all 16 rooms are used and are projected to be used.



36

Table 23: Orange Elementary School

Orange elementary school currently houses students in grade three (3) through eight (8).

In going to a 3-5 organizational level a number of classrooms will become available. There are

programs which were designed for students in grades six (6) through eight (8) which will not be

needed with Orange becoming an elementary school. Rooms such as Home Economics, science,

and computer technology could be re purposed for other programs. An elementary school

probably does not need two art and two music rooms. Under a three (3) through five (5) school

organizational structure the Orange Elementary School will have a lot of flexibility in terms of

space to accommodate school based and District-wide programs.

4 5 6 SCSE Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2017-18 291 274 281 846

Rooms 11.64 10.96 11.24 0.00 33.84 42 8.2

Actual 12 12 12 0 36 42 6

Av Cl Size 24 23 23 24

Gen Ed Home Ec Science Speech/Skls Spec Ed Art Music Comp/Tech Core Fac Offices

28 2 1 1 4 2 2 2 See Note

Orange 3-8


Full Size Rooms

Includes gym, cafeteria, auditorium



37

Table 24: Hillside Middle School

Hillside would become a middle school. There are currently 932 students in grades six

(6) through eight (8) in the District. With the new housing units the projection for 2022-23 is as

high as 971. The school as it is currently organized has 717 students in grades K-8. So as a

middle school the school might have to accommodate at least another 250 students. Table 1

shows that there are a total of 41 classrooms in the building of which 38 would be needed for

general education programs. That would leave 3 for other programs such as art, music, etc.

However, in our opinion, because of the nature of a middle school (not every classroom is

occupied every period of every day) and because there appear to some very large rooms which

might be repurposed (such as the sewing room, studio, computer tech) and the fact that there are

currently four rooms dedicated to art and music, that we feel that with some modifications and

program adjustments this could accommodate the larger enrollment.

It is also our opinion that the school administration should be asked to develop a plan for

the implementation of a Hillside Middle School. This might include such things as looking at

different types of scheduling (such as modular scheduling) or other types of flexible scheduling.

They might plan on speaking with and/or visiting middle schools in comparable communities to

research a variety of middle school programs.

Conclusion

In order to implement a full day kindergarten the District will have to revise its

organizational structure. Our review concluded that a K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 structure would provide

the District with adequate space to accommodate a full day kindergarten without sacrificing

existing programs. In doing this it is important to consider the following:

1. Although no major construction is needed to make this organizational structure

work there could be some renovations required in some of the buildings.

Kindergarten classrooms are required to have lavatories. For those that don't an

annual waiver is required from the County Superintendent's office.

6 7 8 SCSE Total Rooms Available Diff Cl Sz

25 25 25 Needed (Gr 1-5)

2017-18 284 315 315 914

Rooms 11.36 12.60 12.60 0.00 36.56 41 4.4

Actual 12 13 13 0 38 41 3

Av Cl Size 24 24 24 24

Core Fac SGI Offices

Gen Ed Sewing Life Skills Studio Science Comp/Tech Art/Music See Note 3 Inc Spch

29 2 1 1 2 2 4 Small Rooms

Full Size Rooms

Hillside 6-8


Includes gym, cafeteria, auditorium



38

2. The Middle School will require some renovation and will need to look at

the scheduling process in order to determine what changes might be

needed to accommodate a larger enrollment.

3. Because Orange Elementary and Hillside Middle Schools will be District-

wide schools there will be students who live outside the two mile walk

zone. This will require some busing. The number of buses needed will

depend upon the bell schedules of the two schools. A very rough

estimate, based upon this year's enrolment would be approximately 77

students transported to Hillside and 115 students transported to Orange.

This would require 5 buses. However if the two schools are on staggered

bell schedules it might be only three.

4. There would be a need for increased staff for the full day kindergarten

program. An additional six sections of Kindergarten would require six

additional kindergarten teachers.

1

Addendum to March, 2018 Preliminary Report

In March, 2018 Ross Haber and Associates provided the Cranford Board of Education

with a preliminary report. The purpose of the report was to provide the Board of Education

with data in order to consider the feasibility of implementing a full day kindergarten program for

the District. The preliminary study included a five-year enrollment projection and a facility

utilization report. The March study indicated that in order to accomplish a full day kindergarten

program a number of considerations regarding organizational structures (grade realignment) and

attendance zone alignments would need to be considered. The preliminary study addressed

classroom utilization in each building but did not go into detail regarding program locations

(such as art, music, special education, speech, OT/PT), nor did it account for all of the District’s

programming needs.

In October 2018 based upon the preliminary report the Board re-engaged Ross Haber and

Associates to provide a more detailed report addressing all of the issues involved in the

implementation of full-day kindergarten. This detailed study was completed in December, 2018

and reviewed by the administrative staff (central administration and building principals). Their

participation included reviewing, in detail, not only the needs for general / special education, but

the needs for all other programs within their schools. For this endeavor the administration was

provided 10 options. These options are:

Four K-2 schools with Orange becoming a 3-5 elementary school and Hillside

becoming a 6-8 comprehensive middle school.

Five K-5 schools with Hillside becoming a comprehensive middle school.

Five K-5 schools with Orange becoming a comprehensive middle school.

Four K-5 schools with Hillside becoming a comprehensive middle school and

Bloomingdale becoming a pre-K/Special needs school.

Four K-5 schools with Orange becoming a comprehensive middle school and

Walnut becoming a pre-K/Special needs school.

Four grade 1-5 schools with Bloomingdale being K/Pre-K school and Hillside

becoming a comprehensive middle school.

Four grade 1-5 schools Walnut becoming a K/Pre-K school and Orange becoming

a comprehensive middle school.

Four K-5 schools with Orange and Hillside as two 6-8 middle schools.

Four K-4 schools with Orange and Hillside becoming two 5-8 middle schools.

Status quo-implementing a full day kindergarten with no organizational (grade

structure) change.

Process

The analysis included several steps including:

Updating the District enrollment projection.

Using GIS technology to analyze student locations, potential transportation costs,

and the most efficient attendance zones.

2

Reviewing with District administrative staff the impact of each of the options on

each building in terms of room utilization and program needs and locations.

This process required several meetings between Ross Haber Associates and the Cranford

Administrative staff both on site and via telephone conferences.

Enrollment Projections

Chart 1: District-wide Enrollment History and Projection

Chart 1 shows the District-wide enrollment history and projection. The blue line shows

the projection based upon the current grade level organization (half-day kindergarten). The

District-wide enrollment, with half-day kindergarten, is projected to show an increase of 61

students over five years (approximately 1.6%).

The brown line shows the District-wide projection with a full day kindergarten program.

This projection was based upon an estimated increase of 15% in kindergarten enrollment if the

District provides a full day kindergarten program. The 15% increase was based upon an

adjusted average growth between kindergarten and first grade over the previous six years. With

the 15% increase the overall growth between the current school year and the 2023-24 projection

is 89 students or approximately 2.3%.

Chart 2: K-5 Enrollment History and Projection

38213834

38943874

3889 38823847

38733888

39743943

3821

3877

39303910

39233911

3700

3750

3800

3850

3900

3950

4000

1662

16011617

16471665

1652

16871703 1703

17291747

1652

1730 1739 17391763

1776

1500

1550

1600

1650

1700

1750

1800

3

Chart 2 shows the five-year enrollment projection with both half-day and full day

kindergarten. With a half-day kindergarten program the K-5 enrollment is projected to increase

from the current 1,652 to 1,747 by 2023-24. This is an increase of 95 students or approximately

5.4%. With a full day kindergarten the enrollment is projected to increase to 1,776. This is a

projected increase of 124 students or approximately 7%.

Chart 3: Grade 6-8 Enrollment History and Projection

Chart 3 shows the enrollment history and projection for students in grades 6-8. The

enrollment is projected to remain stable over the next five years.

Chart 4: High School Enrollment History and Projection

911

975

955

981

932

885

843856

885895 891

800

820

840

860

880

900

920

940

960

980

1000

1133 1127

1148

11921203 1198

1174 1169

1120

1095

10741050

1070

1090

1110

1130

1150

1170

1190

1210

1230

4

Chart 4 shows the enrollment history and projection for the Cranford High School. The

enrollment is projected to decline from the current 1,198 to 1,074 in 2023-24. This is a decrease

of 124 students or approximately 10.3%.

Options

The next section of this report provides detail regarding the 10 options considered in this

study. It is important to note that in considering all of these options the one constant was that all

elementary school attendance zones would not cross the railroad tracks and in those scenarios

where comprehensive schools were created (either a 3-5 school or a middle school, that

transportation would be provided to students who had to attend a school on the other side of the

railroad tracks.

5

Plan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Table 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11Option 1 2A 2B 3A 3B 4A 4B 5 6 7

School

(BAS,BPS,LAS,WAS) K-2, (OAS) 3-5, (HAS) MS

(BAS,BPS,LAS, OAS,WAS) K-5 and (HAS) MS

(BAS,BPS,HAS, LAS,WAS) K-5 and (OAS) MS

(BPS,LAS, OAS,WAS) K-5,

(BAS) PK/SE and (HAS) MS

(BPS,LAS, HAS,BAS) K-5, (WAS) PK/SE and (OAS) MS

(BPS,OAS, LAS, WAS) 1-5, BAS

PK - K and (HAS) MS

(BAS,BPS, HAS, LAS)

1-5, WAS PK - K and

(OAS) MS

(BAS,BPS, LAS,WAS)

K-5 and (HAS,OAS)

MS

(BAS,BPS, LAS,WAS)

K-4 and (HAS,OAS) 5-

8 MS

Status Quo with FDK and

Additional Spaces

BAS 0 -7 -10 -11

0 (2 empty) (bathrooms

needed) -10-11 (bathrooms

needed) -8 -13 -10 -4BPS 0 (2 empty) -3 -15 -3 -15 0 -9 -13 -9 -5

HAS

-4 (plus café, internal

renovations,bath-rooms)



0 (14 13 empty rooms)

(bathrooms for K needed)



0 (12 empty rooms)

(bathrooms for K needed)


renovations,bath-rooms) 0 (13 empty) 0 (15 empty) 0(6 empty)

-4 (bath-rooms needed

LAS 0 (1 empty) -7 -7 -1 -7 -7 -4 -4 -10 -7 0

OAS

0 (internal renovations

only)

0 (+15 empty) (bath-rooms

needed for K)

-4 (plus café/ internal

renovations/bathrooms


needed for K)

-4 (plus café/internal

renovations/bathrooms) 0 (9 empty)

-4 (plus café/internal renovations/ bathrooms) 0 (12 empty) 0 (3 empty) -4

WAS 0 -14 -14 -5 -10


needed) -10

-5 (Bathrooms

needed)

-12 (Bathroom needed)

-9 (Bathroom needed) -4

Totals -4 -35 -50 -36 -24 -36 -29 -30 -48 -35 -21

Table 1: Summary of Options (District Updated)

Table 1 is a summary of what would be required in terms of construction and renovation for each of the 10 scenarios. The first column is the school name. The top row indicates the option. The Columns under each listed option show the number of rooms and / or renovations that would be required in order to implement the option. The bottom row indicates the short fall of classrooms that would occur under each option. These options were reviewed by central and building level administrators in the District. The results include providing adequate space in each building to accommodate all programs.

Total Gen. Ed. Pre-K Rooms Art Music Special Ed. Special Programs Total Rooms Needed Available Rooms Net Total

Current Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2

Students 60 56 46 162

Rooms 3 3 3 9 0 1 1 1 1 13 13 0

Av Cl Size 20 19 15 18



Students 108 84 93 285

Rooms 5 4 5 14 0 1 1 1 2 19 21 2

Av Cl Size 22 21 19 20


Current Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Students 291 287 322 900

Rooms 12 13 13 38 0 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 24 22 25 24



Students 76 68 62 206

Rooms 4 4 3 11 0 1 1 1 2 16 17 1

Av Cl Size 19 17 21 19

Table 2: Four K-2 Schools with Orange becoming a 3-5 Elementary School and Hillside becoming a 6-8 Comprehensive Middle School

Livingston K-2

Hillside 6-8

Bloomingdale K-2

Brookside K-2

6

Table 2: Continued


Current Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Students 300 290 272 862

Rooms 14 13 13 40 2 2 5 4 53 44 -9

Av Cl Size 21 22 21 22 *

Totals Gen. Ed. Pre-K Rooms Art Music Special Ed. Special Programs Total Rooms Needed Available Rooms Net Total


Students 66 50 69 185

Rooms 3 3 4 10 4 1 1 1 2 19 19 0

Av Cl Size 22 17 17 19

Special Education includes Resource RoomSpecial Programs Include: OT/PT/Speech Room, Achieve

and Self-Contained Classes

* Interior renovations will create 9 additional classroom areas and will include repurposing of locker rooms and other spaces

Repurposing of locker rooms create 6 spaces, repurposing a portion of the library will create 2 spaces, and room 44 will be divided in two

Orange 3 -5

Walnut K-2

7

Total Gen. Pre-K Art Music Special Ed. Special Programs Total Rooms Needed Available Rooms Net Total

Current Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5

Students 45 34 28 49 32 32 220

Rooms 3 2 2 3 2 2 14 0 1 1 2 2 20 13 -7

Av Cl Size 15 17 14 16 16 16 16



Students 55 54 49 63 62 65 348

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 2 24 21 -3

Av Cl Size 18 18 16 21 21 22 19


Current NA NA NA Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8

Students 0 0 0 291 287 322 900

Rooms 0 0 0 12 13 13 38 0 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 24 22 25 24



Students 57 62 50 64 50 52 335

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 2 24 17 -7

Av Cl Size 19 21 17 21 17 17 19

Bloomingdale K-5

Table 3: Five Schools with Hillside as a Comprehensive Middle School

Hillside 6-8

Livingston K-5

Brookside K-5

8

Table 3: Continued



Students 65 54 62 50 55 49 335

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 7 29 44 15

Av Cl Size 22 18 21 17 18 16 19

Totals Gen. Pre-K Art Music Special Ed. Special Programs Total Rooms Needed Available Rooms Net Total


Students 88 60 81 72 89 71 461

Rooms 4 3 4 4 4 4 23 4 1 1 2 2 33 19 -14

Av Cl Size 22 20 20 18 22 18 20

Orange K-5

Walnut K-5

Special Education includes Resource RoomSpecial Programs Include: OT/PT/Speech Room, Achieve and Self-Contained Classes

9

Total Gen. Ed. Pre-K Art Music Special Ed. Special Programs Total Rooms Needed Available Rooms Net Total


Students 66 62 47 62 51 46 334

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 2 24 13 -11

Av Cl Size 22 21 16 21 17 15 19



Students 98 80 92 100 98 100 568

Rooms 5 4 5 5 5 5 29 0 1 1 3 2 36 21 -15

Av Cl Size 19 20 18 20 20 20 20



Students 71 47 66 58 76 55 373

Rooms 4 3 3 3 4 3 20 0 1 1 2 7 31 44 13

Av Cl Size 18 16 22 19 19 18 19



Students 32 41 33 31 32 23 192

Rooms 2 2 2 2 2 2 12 0 1 1 2 2 18 17 -1

Av Cl Size 16 21 17 16 16 12 16

Table 4: Five K-5 Schools with Orange as Middle School (Revised)

Bloomingdale K-5

Brookside K-5

Hillside K-5

Livingston K-5

10

Table 4: Continued



Students 0 0 0 291 287 322 900

Rooms 0 0 0 12 13 13 38 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 24 22 25 24

Totals Gen. Ed. Pre-K Art Music Special Ed. Special Programs Total Rooms Needed Available Rooms Net Total

Current K 1 2 3 4 5

Students 43 34 32 47 31 45 232

Rooms 2 2 2 3 2 3 14 4 1 1 2 2 24 19 -5

Av Cl Size 22 17 16 16 16 15 17

Walnut K-5


Orange 6-8

11


Current Grade PK

Students 0

Rooms 0 4 1 1 5 11 13 2

Av Cl Size



Students 55 54 49 63 62 65 348

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 2 24 21 -3

Av Cl Size 18 18 16 21 21 22 19



Students 0 0 0 291 287 322 900

Rooms 0 0 0 12 13 13 38 0 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 24 22 25 24



Students 57 62 50 64 50 52 335

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 2 24 17 -7

Av Cl Size 19 21 17 21 17 17 19

Table 5: Four K-5 Schools with Hillside as a Comprehensive Middle School and Bloomingdale as a Pre-K / Special Needs School

Bloomingdale PK/SE

Brookside K-5

Hillside 6-8

Livingston K-5

12

Table 5: Continued



Students 110 88 90 99 87 81 555

Rooms 5 5 5 5 5 4 29 1 1 2 4 37 44 7

Av Cl Size 22 18 18 20 17 20 19



Students 88 60 81 72 89 71 461

Rooms 4 3 4 4 4 4 23 0 1 1 2 2 29 19 -10

Av Cl Size 22 20 20 18 22 18 20


Walnut K-5

Orange K-5

13


Current Grade K Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Total

Students 66 62 47 62 51 46 334

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 2 17 0 1 1 2 2 23 13 -10

Av Cl Size 22 21 16 21 17 23 20



Students 98 80 92 100 98 100 568

Rooms 5 4 5 5 5 5 29 0 1 1 3 2 36 21 -15

Av Cl Size 20 20 18 20 20 20 20



Students 73 56 77 74 86 68 434

Rooms 4 3 4 4 5 4 24 0 1 1 2 4 32 44 12

Av Cl Size 18 19 19 19 17 17 18



Students 49 66 54 62 53 55 339

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 2 24 17 -7

Av Cl Size 16 22 18 21 18 18 19

Table 6: Four K-5 Schools with Orange as a Comprehensive Middle School and Walnut as Pre-K / Special Needs School

Bloomingdale K-5

Brookside K-5

Hillside K-5

Livingston K-5

14

Table 6: Continued



Students 0 0 0 291 287 322 900

Rooms 0 0 0 12 13 13 38 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 24 22 25 24


Current Grade PK

Students 0

Rooms 0 4 1 1 0 5 11 19 8

Av Cl Size 0


Walnut PK/SE

Orange 6-8

15



Students 310 0 0 0 0 0 310

Rooms 15 0 0 0 0 0 15 4 1 1 1 2 24 13 -11

Av Cl Size 21 0 0 0 0 0 21



Students 0 54 49 63 62 65 293

Rooms 0 3 3 3 3 3 15 0 1 1 2 2 21 21 0

Av Cl Size 0 18 16 21 21 22 20


Current NA NA NA 6 7 8

Students 0 0 0 291 287 322 900

Rooms 0 0 0 12 13 13 38 0 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 24 22 25 24



Students 0 62 50 64 50 52 278

Rooms 0 3 3 3 3 3 15 0 1 1 2 2 21 17 -4

Av Cl Size 0 21 17 21 17 17 19

Bloomingdale PK-K

Table 7: Four Grade 1-5 Schools with Bloomingdale as a K / Pre-K School and Hillside as Comprehensive Middle School

Brookside 1-5

Hillside 6-8

Livingston 1-5

16

Table 7: Continued



Students 0 88 90 99 87 81 445

Rooms 0 5 5 5 5 4 24 1 1 2 7 35 44 9

Av Cl Size 0 18 18 20 17 20 19



Students 0 60 81 72 89 71 373

Rooms 0 3 4 4 4 4 19 4 1 1 2 2 29 19 -10

Av Cl Size 0 20 20 18 22 18 20

Orange 1-5


Walnut 1-5

17



Students 0 62 47 62 51 46 268

Rooms 0 3 3 3 3 3 15 0 1 1 2 2 21 13 -8

Av Cl Size 0 21 16 21 17 15 18



Students 0 80 92 100 98 100 470

Rooms 0 4 5 5 5 5 24 0 1 1 2 2 30 21 -9

Av Cl Size 0 20 18 20 20 20 20



Students 0 56 77 74 86 68 361

Rooms 0 3 4 4 5 4 20 0 1 1 2 7 31 44 13

Av Cl Size 0 19 19 19 17 17 18



Students 0 66 54 62 53 55 290

Rooms 0 3 3 3 3 3 15 0 1 1 2 2 21 17 -4

Av Cl Size 0 22 18 21 18 18 19

Bloomingdale 1-5

Table 8: Four 1-5 Schools with Walnut as a K / Pre-K School and Orange as a Comprehensive Middle School

Brookside 1-5

Hillside 1-5

Livingston 1-5

18

Table 8: Continued


Current NA NA NA Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Total

Students 0 0 0 291 287 322 900

Rooms 0 0 0 12 13 13 38 2 2 4 2 48 44 -4

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 24 22 25 24



Students 310 0 0 0 0 0 310

Rooms 15 0 0 0 0 0 15 4 1 1 1 2 24 19 -5

Av Cl Size 21 0 0 0 0 0 21

Orange 6-8

Walnut PK-K


19



Students 76 67 63 64 72 65 407

Rooms 4 3 3 3 4 3 20 0 1 1 2 2 26 13 -13

Av Cl Size 19 22 21 21 18 22 21



Students 88 75 76 97 78 80 494

Rooms 5 4 4 5 4 4 26 0 1 1 2 4 34 21 -13

Av Cl Size 19 19 19 19 20 20 19


Current Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 NA NA NA Total

Students 144 141 136 0 0 0 421

Rooms 7 7 7 0 0 0 21 0 1 1 4 2 29 44 15

Av Cl Size 21 20 19 0 0 0 20



Students 61 63 57 65 54 53 353

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 3 18 0 1 1 2 5 27 17 -10

Av Cl Size 20 21 19 22 18 18 20

Table 9: Four K-5 Schools with Orange and Hillside as a Comprehensive Middle School

Hillside 6-8

Bloomingdale K-5

Brookside K-5

Livingston K-5

20

Table 9: Continued


Current Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 NA NA NA

Students 147 146 186 0 0 0 479

Rooms 7 7 8 0 0 0 22 1 1 5 3 32 44 12

Av Cl Size 21 21 23 0 0 0 22



Students 83 59 74 71 85 70 442

Rooms 5 3 3 3 4 3 21 4 1 1 2 2 31 19 -12

Av Cl Size 17 20 25 24 21 23 22


Walnut K-5

Orange 6-8

21



Students 76 67 63 64 72 0 342

Rooms 4 3 3 3 4 0 17 0 1 1 2 2 23 13 -10

Av Cl Size 19 22 21 21 18 0 20



Students 88 75 76 97 78 0 414

Rooms 5 4 4 5 4 0 22 0 1 1 2 4 30 21 -9

Av Cl Size 19 19 19 19 20 0 19


Current Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 NA NA Total

Students 123 144 141 136 0 0 544

Rooms 7 7 7 7 0 0 28 0 2 2 4 2 38 44 6

Av Cl Size 18 21 20 19 0 0 19



Students 61 63 57 65 54 0 300

Rooms 3 3 3 3 3 0 15 0 1 1 2 5 24 17 -7

Av Cl Size 20 21 19 22 18 0 20

Table 10: Four K-4 Schools and Two 5-8 Middle Schools

Hillside 5-8

Bloomingdale K-4

Brookside K-4

Livingston K-4

22

Table 10: Continued


Current Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 NA NA

Students 145 147 146 186 0 0 624

Rooms 7 7 7 8 0 0 29 2 2 5 3 41 44 3

Av Cl Size 21 21 21 23 0 0 21



Students 83 59 74 71 85 0 372

Rooms 5 3 3 3 4 0 18 4 1 1 2 2 28 19 -9

Av Cl Size 17 20 25 24 21 0 21


Walnut K-4

Orange 5-8

23


Current Grade KGrade 1Grade 2 NA NA NA Total

Students 88 87 87 0 0 0 262

Actual 4 4 4 0 0 0 12 0 1 1 1 2 17 13 -4

Av Cl Size 22 22 22 0 0 0 22


Current Grade KGrade 1Grade 2Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5 Total

Students 76 61 59 76 64 63 399

Rooms 4 3 3 4 3 3 20 0 1 1 2 2 26 21 -5

Av Cl Size 19 20 20 19 21 21 20


Current Grade KGrade 1Grade 2Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5 Total

Students 66 37 41 46 58 43 291

Rooms 3 2 2 2 3 2 14 0 1 1 1 1 18 14 -4

Av Cl Size 22 19 21 23 19 22 21


Current NA NA NA Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8 Total

Students 0 0 0 138 141 135 414

Rooms 0 0 0 7 7 8 22 0 1 1 4 2 30 30 0

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 20 20 17 19


Current Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5 NA NA NA Total

Students 89 85 78 0 0 0 252

Rooms 4 4 4 0 0 0 12 0 1 1 1 2 17 17 0

Av Cl Size 22 21 20 0 0 0 21

Bloomingdale K-2

Table 11: Status Quo with FDK and Additional Spaces

Orange 3-5

Brookside K-5

Hillside K-5

Hillside 6-8

Livingston 3-5

24

Table 11: Continued


Current Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5 NA NA NA

Students 88 85 89 0 0 0 262

Rooms 4 4 4 0 0 0 12 0 1 1 1 1 16 12 -4

Av Cl Size 22 21 22 0 0 0 22


Current NA NA NA Grade 6Grade 7Grade 8

Students 0 0 0 153 146 187 486

Rooms 0 0 0 7 7 8 22 1 1 5 3 32 32 0

Av Cl Size 0 0 0 22 21 23 22


Current K 1 2 3 4 5

Students 80 85 88 253

Rooms 4 4 4 12 4 1 1 2 3 23 19 -4

Av Cl Size 20 21 22 21


Walnut PK-2

Orange 6-8

25

cranford public schools march 26, 2018 demographic and ... · 1 in cranford the middle schools are...

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