East Rutherford superintendent reports modest enrollment gains, preschool expansion pending

Superintendent Dean Castro reported that district enrollment rose for the start of the school year, with McKenzie School reporting about 366 students (up 12), Powell School about 240 (up 3) and Lincoln School the largest increase at roughly 19 students, producing what Castro described as an overall increase of “34 plus” bringing the district total to about 781 as reported at the meeting.

Castro told the board the district is awaiting approval of an expansion of preschool aid. “Once we get that, the funding on that, we have 75 days to implement it,” he said, adding administrators have started implementation planning.

On facilities, Castro outlined several planned projects in the short term: a new roof for the current district building, a small addition to McKenzie School and replacement or improvement of exterior doors at Foust School. He said the work is designed to keep costs down compared with an earlier referendum while addressing long-standing facility issues.

Castro also reviewed special-education staffing and assessments: the district reported roughly 132 special-education students (in-district and out-of-district counts combined as reported) and said staff had met to prepare for DLM and NJSLA assessments and to streamline IEP-related procedures.

The superintendent closed by thanking administrators and teachers for their work on implementation plans and for supporting the district’s operations during the start of the school year. The board did not take further action on the preschool expansion at the meeting; Castro said the item will return for formal action once state approval and funding are secured.