As of the 2022–23 school year, the district, comprising 25 schools, had an enrollment of 13,836 students and 1,193.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 11.6:1.[1] The high schools offer more than 150 courses, including Advanced Placement, college preparatory, business, vocational and cooperative work/study programs.
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.[3]
History
Voters approved a referendum in March 2020 that would raise $87 million for renovations that would include the replacement of the 100-year-ol Avenel Street School and the closure of Ford Avenue School, whose students would be shifted to Lafayette Estates School.[4]
Awards and recognition
During the 2008-09 school year, Kennedy Park School #24 was recognized with the Blue Ribbon School Award of Excellence by the United States Department of Education,[5] the highest award an American school can receive.[6][7] Lynn Crest School was recognized as a "Blue Ribbon" School during the 2009-10 school year.[8] In 2023, Claremont Avenue Elementary School was one of nine schools in New Jersey that was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School.[9][10]
For the 2005-06 school year, the district was recognized with the "Best Practices Award" by the New Jersey Department of Education for its "Blooming Buddies-The Garden Club" Science program at Matthew Jago Elementary School.[11]
For the 2004-05 school year, Matthew Jago Elementary School was named a "Star School" by the New Jersey Department of Education, the highest honor that a New Jersey school can achieve.[12]
Core members of the district's administration are:[43][44]
Joseph Massimino, superintendent
Brian Wolferman, business administrator and board secretary
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.[45][46][47]
Controversy
Lois Rotella, former assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, left her position in early August 2012. After her departure, "the district has been notoriously tight-lipped about matters since various schools have been under investigation by the State Board of Education's Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance... because of a high number of wrong-to-right erasures on the New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) standardized tests."[48]
In 2015, it was found out that Ford Avenue School #14 principal Cathie Bedosky was encouraging students to cheat on the NJASK standardized test. She also poorly trained test proctors, and hired unqualified people to administer the test. She was later suspended by vote at the Woodbridge Board of Education.[49]
^Chang, Kathy. "Century-old school buildings will be replaced with 21st-century facilities in Woodbridge", CentralJersey.com, March 11, 2020. Accessed March 6, 2024. "Voters approved an $87 million bond referendum on March 10, which addresses the last three oldest school buildings in the district.... Zega said the highlight of the referendum is the replacement of Avenel Street School No. 4/5 with a building on a different location off Rahway Avenue. The school building is the oldest school in the district at more than 100 years old.... In addition, Ford Avenue School No. 14, which is 96 years old, will close. Zega said school No. 14 is the district's 'smallest elementary school and requires so much renovation.' School officials have decided to close the school and move the students to Lafayette Estates School No. 25 on Ford Avenue, which is less than a mile from School No. 14."
^"CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department", Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
^"Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test", The Washington Post. September 29, 2005. "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
^Makin, Bob. "Woodbridge: Oak Tree Road School unveils $8M renovation", Courier News, September 8, 2018. Accessed March 6, 2024. "Oak Tree Road School No. 29 on Wednesday became the first fully-renovated township school district building to open in nearly 50 years. The school, which cost $8M to renovate, welcomed 520 first- through fifth-grade students."
