Pascack Valley School Split Vote Won't Come This Year

Members of a New Jersey Department of Education Board of Review decided that they didn't have enough information to determine whether or not Woodcliff Lake's petition to withdraw from the Pascack Valley Regional School District should go before voters as a referendum, The Record reported.

Woodcliff Lake officials have touted a sending-receiving relationship with the other towns as an option, but apparently haven't provided any concrete details to the state about what they would do if allowed to withdraw.

"Why would we accept something like that?" Hillsdale Mayor Max Arnowitz said.

Arnowitz said he would have liked the board to make a decision.

"I was hoping we could get a decision and stop spending all this money," he said. "This money could be better spent on education."

The meeting followed another hearing in which the state officials heard comments on the issue from local officials and residents. Montvale officials did not voice support or opposition to the plan.

Woodcliff Lake officials have said they want to withdraw from the district because their town pays more per student in the district than the other towns. State law requires regional school district funding be determined by the total value of property in the towns.

If they did withdraw from the district, Hillsdale and River Vale residents would likely see a hefty tax increase.

The state is expecting Woodcliff Lake to provide more information on their proposal in the next few months.