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

To:
Davor Gjivoje – President
Dr. Alex Anastasiou – Vice President
Abhinov Singh
Richard Bruno
Melissa Krikos

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 Harding Board of Education to renew the longstanding send/receive relationship with Madison Public Schools. For over 50 years, Harding students have attended Madison High School, with the current contract beginning in the 1974-75 school year. The existing 6-year agreement is set to expire on June 30, 2026. While the Board is considering sending students to Chatham High School, we believe that renewing the Madison contract is essential for preserving community bonds and ensuring the best outcomes for our students.

 
Historical Context:
Harding Township students in grades 9-12 have attended Madison High School for over five decades. The community integration between Harding and Madison runs deep, with children forming lifelong bonds through shared youth programs, sports, and extracurricular activities, which carry into high school and beyond.

 
Community Support:
At the August 26, 2024, Harding Board of Education meeting, the community turnout was unprecedented. Over 75 people attended in person, and another 75 participated online, representing a significant portion of Harding’s school community. Of the 38 speakers, 35 were in favor of renewing the Madison contract, 2 supported a choice between Madison and Chatham, and only 1 expressed support for Chatham.

 
Key Reasons to Continue with Madison:
Community Integration: Harding students are fully integrated into Madison's youth programs, sports, and community life, creating a seamless transition into high school. Disrupting these relationships by switching to Chatham would sever lifelong bonds and create challenges for students socially and emotionally.

Public Support: 

The community has voiced overwhelming support for continuing the relationship with Madison. The Harding Board of Education’s duty is to represent the interests of its constituents, and this public opinion should play a decisive role in the Board’s decision.

Madison’s Commitment to Repairing Past Issues:

At the 8/26/24 meeting, Madison Superintendent Danielle Shanley acknowledged previous challenges under the prior Madison Board administration and pledged to mend the relationship. Madison Board President Sarah Fischer and Vice President Kelley Browning also expressed their commitment to improving the collaboration between the two districts.

Madison recently passed an $80 million referendum dedicated to building upgrades across the district. The current administration has already begun capital improvements and is actively upgrading all Madison schools. It is encouraging to see these positive steps being taken. Harding should embrace these changes, take pride in being part of this progress, and look forward to working with a cooperative and forward-thinking administration. This is a time for collaboration on shared goals and visions—not a time to turn away.

Concerns with Chatham:
Student Population: Madison High School’s current enrollment of fewer than 800 students provides a more intimate learning environment. Chatham, with over 1,200 students, is significantly larger, and the expected influx of Harding students and new developments will only increase this disparity.

Competition and Opportunities:

A larger student body means greater competition for class rank, college admissions, and participation in school activities such as sports, clubs, and Advanced Placement courses. In a larger school like Chatham, Harding students may face reduced opportunities to excel and stand out.

Youth Sports and Activities:

Harding students are already integrated into Madison’s youth sports and extracurricular activities. Chatham’s recreation programs have not yet confirmed whether they would allow Harding students to participate, and some independent organizations have expressed opposition to Harding’s inclusion.

 
Conclusion:
The community's support for maintaining the send/receive relationship with Madison is clear. Changing this arrangement would disrupt decades of community building, limit opportunities for Harding students, and potentially lead to overcrowding and increased competition at Chatham High School.

We respectfully urge the Harding Board of Education to listen to the community and renew the send/receive agreement with Madison Public Schools for the benefit of our children’s education and well-being.

 
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