As of the 2018–19 school year, the district, comprising three schools, had an enrollment of 894 students and 95.5 classroom teachers (on an
FTE basis), for a
student–teacher ratio of 9.4:1.[1]
The district is classified by the
New Jersey Department of Education as being in
District Factor Group "CD", the sixth-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.[4]
The district's Education Foundation has funded technology programs, mini-grants and the annual Stokes Trip, investing approximately $250,000 to schools since it was established in 1995.[8]
Schools
The Somers Point School District consists of three school facilities: Jordan Road School, constructed in 1966 with an addition in 1991; Dawes Avenue School, constructed in 1998; and New York Avenue School, constructed in 1914 with an addition in 1922 and a refurbishing project in 2005, which houses the district's central offices.[9] Beginning with the 2018-19 school year, after considering several alternative options, the district was reconfigured so that Jordan Road School will house grades forth to eighth grade and Dawes Avenue School will house kindergarten to third grade, while New York Avenue School will remain the same consisting of Pre-K and the administration offices.[10][11]
Core members of the district's administration are:[13][21]
Michelle CarneyRay-Yoder, superintendent of schools[22]
Michele Roemer, business administrator and board secretary[23]
Board of education
The district's
board of education, composed of nine members, sets policy and oversees 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][25][26]
2012 mold problem
On September 4, 2012, parents were notified about mold at Jordan Road School. After other district schools were examined, the district decided that school opening would be delayed by a week at all schools.[27]
^Somers Point Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Somers Point Public Schools. Accessed June 15, 2020. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades K through 8 in the Somers Point School District. Composition: The Somers Point School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Somers Point."
^About, Somers Point Public Schools. Accessed June 15, 2020. "The Somers Point School District of approximately 890 students (Preschool through 8th grade) consists of three schools. The Jordan Road School, constructed in 1966 with an addition in 1991, is a Fourth through Eighth-grade building which houses approximately 410 students. Dawes Avenue School was constructed in 1998 and sits on the other side of town and houses Kindergarten through 3rd grade, approximately 400 students. The third school is the New York Avenue School, constructed in 1914 with an addition in 1922 and refurbished in 2005. The New York Avenue School houses five full-day Preschool classes, with approximately 70 students."
^Marino, Suzanne.
"Somers Point school board approves redistricting plan", The Current of Linwood, Northfield & Somers Point, October 25, 2017. Accessed July 11, 2018. "Under the configuration that will go into effect with the 2018-2019 school year, the New York Avenue School will continue to house only preschool students, Dawes Avenue School will house students in kindergarten through third grade, and Jordan Road School will be for students in grades four through eight."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report of the City of Somers Point School District,
New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2019. Accessed June 1, 2020. "The City of Somers Point School District is a Type II district located in the County of Atlantic, State of New Jersey. As a Type II District, the School District functions independently through a Board of Education. The board is composed of nine members elected to three-year terms. The purpose of the district is to educate students in grades K-8."
^Staff.
"Mold Delays Start of Somers Point School Year",
NBC40, September 4, 2012. Accessed September 8, 2012. "And it wasn't just the Jordan Road School that was affected. As a precautionary measure, Somers Point also delayed the opening of, and investigated the New York Avenue School as well as the Dawes Avenue School."