As of the 2020–21 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 2,163 students and 168.4 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 12.8:1.[1]
Using a formula that reflects the population and the value of the assessed property in each of the constituent municipalities, taxpayers in Mansfield Township pay 46.5% of the district's tax levy, while the remainder is apportioned to residents Chesterfield Township (21.6%), Springfield Township (17.7%) and North Hanover Township (14.2%). The district's 2013-14 budget included $35.6 million in spending.[6]
The district is classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "DE", the fifth-highest of eight groupings. District Factor Groups organize districts statewide to allow comparison by common socioeconomic characteristics of the local districts. From lowest socioeconomic status to highest, the categories are A, B, CD, DE, FG, GH, I and J.[7]
History
The district was established after the four constituent districts approved a referendum in March 1956. A November 1958 ballot question asked for approval of funds to buy a 40-acre (16 ha) plot of land and fund the construction of a school building. With much of the area being rural, plans were made to have the school focus on vocational agriculture, including getting input from a Rutgers University expert on developing the agricultural component of the syllabus.[8]
Constructed with 29 classrooms at a cost of $1.25 million (equivalent to $12.9 million in 2023), the new school opened in September 1960 with 750 students, including 150 children of those stationed at McGuire Air Force Base.[9][10]
Attendance area
It is the singular secondary school district for most of North Hanover Township, except portions on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, which is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as having its own school district.[11] Students on portions of the joint base attend area school district public schools, as the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) does not operate any schools on that base. Students on-post in the McGuire and Dix areas (McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix) may attend one of the following in their grade levels, with all siblings in a family taking the same choice: Northern Burlington County Regional (secondary district), North Hanover Township District (elementary district), and Pemberton Township School District (K-12).[12]
Richard Kaz Jr., school business administrator and board secretary[23]
Board of education
The district's board of education is comprised of nine members who set policy and oversee the fiscal and educational operation of the district through its administration. As a Type II school district, the board's trustees are elected directly by voters to serve three-year terms of office on a staggered basis, with three seats up for election each year held (since 2012) as part of the November general election. The board appoints a superintendent to oversee the district's day-to-day operations and a business administrator to supervise the business functions of the district.[24] The nine seats on the board of education are allocated based on the population of the constituent municipalities, with three seats assigned to both Mansfield Township and North Hanover Township, two seats to Chesterfield Township and one seat to Springfield Township.[25][26]
^Board of Education Policy 0110 - Identification, Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Accessed April 26, 2023. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades seven through twelve in the Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Composition: The Northern Burlington County Regional School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of the Township of Chesterfield, Mansfield, North Hanover, and Springfield as well as all military housing on McGuire Air Force Base."
^Zimmaro, Mark. "Sharp tax increase included in Northern Burlington budget", Burlington County Times, April 8, 2013. Accessed October 15, 2013. "The $35.6 million budget represents a 2.7 percent increase from last year’s spending plan.... Tax rates in sending districts are determined using a state equalization formula that takes into account factors such as population and assessed values. Based on the formula, Chesterfield taxpayers fund 21.6 percent of Northern Burlington’s tax levy, Mansfield 46.5 percent, North Hanover 14.2 percent and Springfield 17.7 percent."
^"Townships Vote on New School Building", Allentown Messenger, November 20, 1958. Accessed April 1, 2022, via Newspapers.com. " Residents of four townships will be asked to vote December 10 on a $1,250,000 bond issue to build the Northern Burlington County Regional High School near Columbus...n. The board has an option to buy from Alvan C. Thompson a 40-acre farm on the Mansfield-Georgetown Road..... Voters in the Townships of Chesterfield, Mansfield, Springfield and North Hanover will cast their ballots at the polls.... Because many of the students will come from farming sections, emphasis will be placed on vocational agriculture. George Lange of Chesterfield, State supervisor of vocational agriculture education at Rutgers University, has assisted the curriculum committee and architect in shaping the program.... The regional school board was formed as a result of an election on March 11, 1956."
^"3 Counties Share Classroom Expansion", Courier-Post, September 3, 1960. Accessed April 1, 2022, via Newspapers.com. "Just off Rt. 206 near Columbus in Mansfield Township, the new North Burlington County Regional High School will house some 750 pupils from Chesterfield, North Hanover, Springfield and Mansfield Townships. The student population will include approximately 150 children of servicemen stationed at McGuire Air Force Base. Built at a cost of $1,250,000 the school includes 29 classrooms and other facilities."
^District Profile, Northern Burlington County Regional School District. Accessed February 13, 2020. "Northern Burlington was formed in 1959 and began operation with the completion of the original building in 1960. Additions were made in 1961, 1965, 1976, and 1995. In December of 2000, a $28 million referendum, which included the purchase of a 53-acre parcel of land adjacent to the existing school campus, was approved. In September of 2004, the construction of the new 800-student Middle School was completed."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the Northern Burlington County Regional School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2023. Accessed May 1, 2024. "The Regional Board of Education is comprised of nine members, each elected to three-year terms. Based on the 2010 US Census the regional school boards seats are allocated as follows: Chesterfield has two seats, Mansfield has three seats, North Hanover has three seats, and Springfield has one seat.... The Northern Burlington County Regional School District is a Type II School District located in the County of Burlington, State of New Jersey. As a Type II School District, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The Board is comprised of nine members elected to three-year terms. These terms are staggered so that three members' terms expire each year. The purpose of the School District is to educate students in grades seven through twelfth." See "Roster of Officials" on page 23.
