Currently in the Mount Laurel, NJ school district, all 5^th & 6^th graders attend Hartford School and 7^th & 8^th graders attend Thomas E. Harrington.  A feasibility study was formed this year to look at the option of turning the schools into separate 5^th - 8^th grade middle schools.  Proponents of the plan say this will reduce the amount of times that kids have to change schools and help build relationships with the teachers.  Also the schools could be better designed to meet the needs of students.

Superintendent Rath will present the findings of the study at the Board of Education meeting on Jan. 23^rd.  If a recommendation is made, it could be voted on Jan. 30^th.  Public comments will be heard at both meetings, so if you have an opinion please make it known. 

My opinion...this is a bad idea.  I know this idea is becoming more and more popular in the area with the large increase in populations over the years and with Regional Schools being so popular.  But what this will do is further divide a community along school lines.  I think Mt. Laurel is already getting divided with all the new construction over the years, and with this change, families with kids the same age may never meet until they are in high school.  Also, I'm sure this will impact housing over the years.  If one particular school is deemed better then the other, you will surely see that impact in home prices, both good and bad.  We already see this in Cherry Hill.  Divided between an East and West, I have heard buyers with preconceived notions about one or the other simply based on the school lines.  I'm sure I'm probably in the minority here, but I hope the schools don't get reconfigured.