Parents press board to review sending paths after exemption denials; administration outlines review process

Two Plainsboro residents at the June 17 West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District meeting urged the board to review longstanding student "sending paths" that split small neighborhood cohorts when advancing to upper elementary schools.

Christie (Suffolk Lane) told the board that her neighborhood's students follow a pattern that forces a small group to move to Millstone River while most peers stay together, and said the arrangement disrupted friendships and social-emotional growth. Erin Picarello (Suffolk Lane) said her daughter's exemption request had been denied and asked whether the district has studied academic or counseling outcomes for students who follow the split path.

Doctor Aderhold responded that sending-paths have been long established in the district, and that exemption requests are processed through a Google form and reviewed by the principals, registrar, counselors as appropriate and special services when an IEP is involved. He said, "Exceptions to the exemption requests are rare," and that an individual superintendent cannot unilaterally change a sending path; changing a path would require review by the Administration & Facilities committee and board approval. Doctor Aderhold also confirmed the district receives hundreds of exemption requests each year and that the board is within the statutory window for filling vacancies but would consider a formal review of sending paths at a committee meeting over the summer.

Board members said they would relay the concern to the appropriate committee for review and asked administration to place the topic on a future Administration & Facilities committee agenda.