Members of the Rockaway Twp. Community: The article in today’s Daily Record indicates that the Rockaway Twp. School District will be holding a referendum vote on March 11, 2025. The statement (https://5il.co/33u9h) issued on December 20, 2024, explains that the date of the referendum has been postponed: "Given the current uncertainty, we are exploring the option of an alternative referendum date, later than March 2025. The roadblocks created by the NJDEP, coupled with the limited options for suitable in-district properties, make it increasingly difficult to meet the urgent needs of our students and families.”  I apologize for the misinformation and the confusion caused by the article. Please continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information regarding the referendum.

Dr. Corbett  

• Referendum Statement

• Statement from the Rockaway Township Board of Education 12/20/2024

Click here to see the presentation.

* NEW * Survey Results

Families referendum survey

Encuesta sobre el referéndum de las familias

Staff referendum survey

Education in Rockaway Township Schools has changed radically over the past 129 years. For example, in 1895 there were 10 schools in Rockaway Township serving 982 children. Sixteen teachers taught these students. The men and women earned $61.66 and $42.50 monthly, respectively. The ratio was 1 teacher for every 61.4 students, and each classroom accommodated 49 children. Today the Board of Education employs 611 teachers and staff in six schools serving 2500 students. Our student population has increased significantly over the past four years. Maintaining facilities to meet the needs of the 21st century is our current challenge. Specifically:

Classroom Space Deficit, District-wide: 

• The need for classroom space requires an annex at Dennis B. O’Brien ES, the only location where this can be accommodated.

• Twenty classrooms are required to accommodate unhoused children

• The new facility is to be constructed atop the existing football field

Copeland Middle School:  

• Has no auditorium

• Lacks sufficient classrooms 

• Offers an athletic field not suitable for middle school-aged students.

Birchwood Elementary School: 

• Does not have a separate gymnasium/cafeteria 

• Has severe parking problems

• Lacks sufficient classrooms. 

Catherine A. Dwyer: 

• Lacks sufficient classrooms 

• Requires HVAC & updated windows.

Katharine D. Malone:

• Lacks parking

• Has a gym much smaller than Birchwood, Dwyer, or Stony Brook

• Lacks sufficient cafeteria space not allowing all students to eat in the cafeteria

• Lacks sufficient classrooms. 

Dennis B. O’Brien: 

• Has a gym much smaller than Birchwood, Dwyer, or Stony Brook

• Lacks sufficient cafeteria space not allowing all students to eat in the cafeteria

• Only one road provides access to or out of the school site

• Lacks sufficient classrooms. 

Stony Brook:  

• Lacks sufficient classrooms 

• Space for support rooms and special needs.

It is concerning that our school lobbies do not provide a secure entry. Finally, the Administration Building (16 School Road) is more than 100 years old and not handicapped accessible, limiting access to those able to climb multiple stairs.   

The Rockaway Township Board of Education will be considering a comprehensive approach to ensure all students in the Township are safe and receive an education commensurate with 21st-century needs.

Imagine a district where every school has a secure lobby, students have a sufficient number of classrooms, and universal pre-kindergarten is offered to 3 & 4-year-old students.