Petition to the Madison Board of Education
Subject: Renewal of Send/Receive Contract with Harding Township Public School

To:
Sarah Fischer – President
Kelley Browning – Vice President
Stephen Tindall
David Duran
Lisa Ellis
Eric Fontes
Carmen Vasto
Richard Bruno (Harding Representative)

From:
Stephen Healey
31 Lindsley Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 (Mailing Address)
New Vernon, NJ 07976 (Physical Address)
Contact: 908-377-1414
Email: shealey@remax.net

 

Rationale:
We, the undersigned, urge the Madison Board of Education to renew the longstanding send/receive relationship with Harding Township School. We understand the Madison Board is interested in renewal and has been working collaboratively with the Harding Board of Education. We ask that the Board continue these efforts diligently to ensure a positive resolution.

 

 
 

Historical Context:
For over 50 years, Harding students have attended Madison High School, with the current contract beginning in the 1974-75 school year. The existing six-year agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2026. While the Harding Board is considering sending students to Chatham High School, we believe renewing the Madison contract is essential to preserving community bonds and ensuring the best outcomes for our students.

 

 
 

Historical Collaboration:
Harding Township students in grades 9-12 have been a part of Madison High School for over five decades. This deep integration allows students to form lifelong bonds through shared youth programs, sports, and extracurricular activities, all of which strengthen as they transition to high school.

 

 
 

Community Support:
At the August 26, 2024, Harding Board of Education meeting, the turnout from the community was unprecedented, with over 150 people participating either in person or online. Of the 38 speakers, 35 voiced support for renewing the Madison contract, with only 1 expressing a preference for Chatham. Importantly, Madison officials, including Superintendent Danielle Shanley and Board President Sarah Fischer, have also expressed their commitment to continuing the partnership.

 

 
 

Community Outreach:
Stephen Healey, a Madison High School teacher, created a Facebook group called "HTS to MHS," which advocates for the contract’s extension. Initially focused on Harding residents, the group has since gained significant support from Madison residents, and even Chatham residents have shown interest. This demonstrates widespread support across the communities to maintain the send/receive relationship between Harding and Madison.

 

 
 

Community Integration:
Harding students are deeply integrated into Madison’s youth programs and sports, fostering strong social and emotional connections. A switch to Chatham would disrupt these established bonds, causing unnecessary challenges for students and parents alike. Moreover, Chatham parents have raised valid concerns about overcrowded teams, competition for participation, and limited resources, such as gym and field space. Madison offers a smoother and more immediate integration of Harding students.

 

 
 

Madison’s New Leadership and Improvements:
Madison recently passed an $80 million referendum for district-wide capital improvements, with significant progress already underway. Harding students are positioned to benefit from these enhancements. Turning away from this positive momentum would be a missed opportunity to collaborate with a forward-thinking administration.

 

 
 

Student Population and Learning Environment:
Madison’s current enrollment of fewer than 800 students provides a more intimate and personalized learning environment. In contrast, Chatham’s student population exceeds 1,200 and is expected to grow. The larger size of Chatham High School could dilute opportunities for Harding students in academics, extracurriculars, and leadership roles.

 

 
 

Youth Sports and Activities:
Harding students are already fully integrated into Madison’s sports and extracurriculars, while Chatham has not confirmed if it will welcome Harding students into its programs. Madison’s youth sports heavily rely on Harding participants, and a shift to Chatham could negatively impact both communities.

 

 
 

Negative Impact on the Madison Community:
Should the relationship with Harding end, Madison stands to lose in several ways:

Loss of community and social bonds.
Economic impact on local businesses as Harding families potentially shift toward Chatham.
A reduced ability for Madison students to build relationships with "out of town" peers, a skill that helps them in college and beyond.
Decline in youth sports participation, potentially leading to fewer competitive teams.
The potential loss of high school programs and staff as enrollment declines.
 

 
 

Conclusion:
We strongly believe that renewing the send/receive contract between Madison High School and Harding Township is in the best interest of both communities. The long-standing relationship has provided countless benefits to students and families, fostering a sense of belonging and continuity. The overwhelming support from residents, Madison leadership, and even members of Chatham demonstrate the importance of maintaining this relationship. We urge the Madison Board of Education to continue working collaboratively toward renewing the contract, ensuring a bright future for both Harding and Madison students.

 

 
 

Sincerely,

Stephen Healey

31 Lindsley Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 (Mailing Address)

New Vernon, NJ 07976 (Physical Address)

Contact: 908-377-1414

Email: shealey@remax.net