MRHS school choice lottery set for Dec. 17

Last Updated on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 02:11 pm Written by SUZANNE MARINO Wednesday, December 12, 2012 09:17 am

LINWOOD – The future of students living outside the MainlandRegionalHigh School sending districts who are applying for acceptance will be determined Monday, Dec. 17 in a lottery at the school library.

Mainland, a choice school as designated by the New Jersey Department of Education, is set to accept students from outside the three sending districts of Linwood, Northfield and Somers Point starting in September 2013.

Initially the district was approved to accept 25 incoming freshmen from outside the district, but at its Dec. 3 meeting, the Mainland Regional High School Board of Education approved increasing the number to 35.

District Superintendent Tom Baruffi said when they looked at the enrollment numbers from the sending districts, it was apparent the high school would be able to accommodate 10 more students.

The superintendent said the district received permission for the increase prior to the board approving it.

The district held an open house in October and invited students and families from outside the district.

Applications were accepted after the open house, and roughly 150 current eighth-grade students applied, according to Baruffi.

The lottery was originally planned for November, but Baruffi said the timeline was held up due to Hurricane Sandy, so the lottery was rescheduled.

A special meeting of the school board is set for 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 in the school library in order to conduct the lottery.

For information about the school choice program see www.mainlandregional.net or call Nathan Lichtenwalner at (609) 927-4151.