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Comment on : Princeton Board of Education Seeks Community Input on Name Change

Princeton Board of Education Seeks Community Input on Name Change

In anticipation of the upcoming municipal consolidation, Princeton Regional Schools' board of education will vote to determine the new name for the district. Once the consolidation occurs, the district will no longer be a regional school district and is required by law to change its name. The board of education is seeking community input in the selection of a new name, and the district has posted a brief survey on the district website at prs.k12.nj.us to facilitate the discussion.

While formal consolidation will not occur until January 1, 2013, the board plans to vote on the name change during its February 7, 2012, meeting, because the new name will be adopted for the start of the new academic and fiscal year starting July 1. It also will be incorporated into the long-anticipated overhaul of the district and individual schools' websites that is underway.

“The board hears from parents of students in the district on a daily basis that our website needs a thorough redesign,” said Board President Rebecca Cox. “Improving communications to stakeholders is a cornerstone of our Strategic Plan.”

Further clarifying the issue from a legal standpoint, Vice President Timothy Quinn noted that the name change does not affect the district's send-receive relationship with Cranbury School. Cranbury pays Princeton a per-pupil tuition fee, but because the district does not levy taxes on Cranbury residents, the arrangement does not constitute a regional district by statute.

Quinn also made clear that the name change will not lead to additional expenses for the district. “The district will use every sheet of existing letterhead before the name change must take effect on Jan. 1, 2013,” said Quinn, “and there are no signage considerations.”

As superintendent Judy Wilson noted, the naming options are very limited, with Princeton Public Schools and Princeton School District standing out as two viable possibilities.

To participate in the survey, go to prs.k12.nj.us