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Politics & Government

Chester Boro Sets $5K For School Study

Chester Borough joins Mendham Borough in funding study of regional school dissolution.

Chester Borough has joined with Mendham Borough in setting aside money to fund a feasiblity study on the dissolution of the regional high school district.

On Monday night, . A group of residents have been appealing to the governing bodies and school boards in the region hoping to raise $50,000 for the cost of the study.

Council President Tim Iversen announced Tuesday evening that at their last finance meeting, Chester Boro committed to appropriate $5,000 for the study of the regional high school configuration.

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"[We're] joining with Mendham Borough, who has now agreed to fund, I believe, up to $10,000," Iversen said.

Neither Mendham Township or Chester Township have set aside money for the study. When making her pitch to the Chester Consolidated School District, Chester Township resident Charlene Arrington said they would not be approaching Chester Township for funds.

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Chester Township Mayor Bill Cogger said after Tuesdays meeting they had not been approached.

"I think we have made our position pretty clear," Cogger said.

The Chester Consolidated School District chose not to fund the study.

Eyes now head back to Mendham Township, where the committee deferred making a decision at their last meeting.

“Should the Chesters demonstrate an interest in following Mendham Borough’s lead on this issue there will still be time for the Township Committee to deliberate whether adding a budget line for a share of the feasibility study is warranted," Mayor Rick Merkt said at that time.

Even if Mendham Township agrees to put in their $10,000 for the study, there would still be a $25,000 shortfall left to the Mendham Borough and Mendham Township K-8 districts to make up. 

The next Mendham Township Committee meeting is March 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mendham Municipal Building.

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