As of the 2023–24 school year, the district, comprised of two schools, had an enrollment of 900 students and 87.7 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 10.3:1.[1]
In 2001, the Lincoln Park district sought to sever the more-than-50-year-old sending relationship with Boonton, citing cost savings that could be achieved by both districts and complaints by Lincoln Park that it is granted only one seat on the Boonton Public Schools' Board of Education, less than the number of seats that would be allocated based on the percentage of students of population.[7] In April 2006, the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Education rejected the request, citing the negative effects on the Boonton district of the loss of students from Lincoln Park.[8]
The district had been classified by the New Jersey Department of Education as being in District Factor Group "FG", the fourth-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.[9]
School superintendent Michael Meyer left his position after an unexpected shortfall of $2 million led to a $27 million budget for the upcoming school year that included 20 layoffs.[10]
The district's board of education, comprised of seven 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 either two or 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.[21][22][23]
^District Overview, Lincoln Park Public Schools. Accessed January 21, 2025. "The Lincoln Park Public School system serves students from pre-kindergarten through Grade 8. Lincoln Park Elementary School serves our Pre-K to Grade 4 students and Lincoln Park Middle School serves our Grade 5 - 8 students. Students then move on to attend Boonton High School, as well as various academies at Pequannock Township High School and across Morris County."
^Lincoln Park Board of Education District Policy 0110 - Identification, Lincoln Park Public Schools, adopted December 15, 2020. Accessed January 21, 2025. "Purpose: The Board of Education exists for the purpose of providing a thorough and efficient system of free public education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through eight in the Lincoln Park School District. Composition: The Lincoln Park School District is comprised of all the area within the municipal boundaries of Lincoln Park."
^ abLincoln Park School District 2016 Report Card Narrative, New Jersey Department of Education. Accessed May 17, 2017. "Lincoln Park participates in a sending-receiving relationship with Boonton High School, which offers a comprehensive educational program for children in grades 9 through 12. The Lincoln Park School District sends approximately 290 students to Boonton High School. Approximately 70 high school age students attend The Academies of Morris County."
^English v. Board Of Educ. Of Town Of Boonton, 161 F. Supp. 2d 344 (D.N.J. 2001), Justia, decided August 21, 2001. Accessed January 15, 2020. "As described in greater detail in this Court's March 26, 2001 Opinion, the town of Lincoln Park maintains its own elementary school system, but entered into a sending-receiving relationship with the town of Boonton over 50 years ago for education of its high school students at Boonton High School. N.J.S.A. 18A:38-8 provides that Lincoln Park, the sending district, shall have one seat on Boonton's Board of Education, irrespective of the relative populations of the two towns.... Thus, pursuant to the Commissioner's proposal, Lincoln Park would be given three seats on the Boonton Board comprised of twelve total members, representing 25% of the total board vote on issues within the purview of section 8.1."
^Flanagan, Nicole. "Lincoln Park school chief out after busted budget, layoffs. Here's what we know", Daily Record, July 16, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. "Weeks after a surprise budget shortfall led to painful layoffs, former Lincoln Park Schools Superintendent Michael Meyer has apparently left his position.... The school board and the superintendent took the brunt of the backlash at two packed meetings this spring where residents expressed outrage at the lack of transparency in the budget process. An unexpected, $2 million shortfall for the coming school year led to the board approving the layoffs of about 20 teachers and other staff members.... The school board ultimately approved a $27 million budget for the 2024-25 school year."
^Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Lincoln Park School District, New Jersey Department of Education, for year ending June 30, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. "The Board is an instrumentality of the State of New Jersey, established to function as an educational institution. The Board consists of elected officials and is responsible for the fiscal control of the District. A superintendent is appointed by the Board and is responsible for the administrative control of the District." See "Roster of Officials" on page 13.
^Board Members, Lincoln Park Public Schools. Accessed January 21, 2025.