Trenton Board of Education Passes Schools of Choice

members voted 6-1 in favor of making Trenton Public Schools a limited open enrollment district Monday night at a regularly scheduled board of education meeting.

Board members approved allowing up to 60 students into the district at various grade levels.

For the 2012-13 school year the district will be open to 20 kindergartners, 10 first graders and 30 ninth graders living outside Trenton.

Board members Carol Oakley and Dennis Bearden said they were formerly against Schools of Choice, but felt a lack of funding to the district helped them make the decision to vote in favor of the recommendation.

Wayne Sieloff was the only board member to vote against Schools of Choice.

The decision to keep limited open enrollment can be revisited each semester and potentially voted upon again. A board member must request a meeting to discuss open enrollment to have a formal vote.

If the district fills all 60 openings, it could bring in about $310,000 in additional revenue, even after providing the appropriate staffing for increased student enrollment.

A are the primary reasons for limited open enrollment according to interim Superintendent Larry Leapley.

Check back with Trenton Patch throughout the week for more information on this story.

*In a previous version of this article Wayne Sieloff's name was incorrect.