Brooklawn BOE Passes Resolution in Opposition of Oxford House on Christiana Street

On March 28, 2022, we submitted an Open Public Records Request (OPRA) to the Brooklawn School District for Meeting Agendas from December, 2021 through March, 2022 and for the Meeting Minutes from September 2021 through February 2022 because we didn’t see these items on the district’s website.

Sam Dutkin, Board Secretary/Business Administrator, wrote back the same day and advised the items could now be found on the website.

The meeting minutes for January 27, 2022 show that under XII. Board of Education Business: “House across the street is going to be an Oxford House (sober living).”

For the February 24, 2022 meeting, the minutes show that a Resolution was unanimously approved opposing an Oxford House at 304 Christiana Street.

RESOLUTION FOR OPPOSITION OF OXFORD HOUSE AT 304 CHRISTIANA STREET

WHEREAS, the Brooklawn Board of Education recently learned that Oxford House will be accepting applications for residence at 304 Christiana Street in Brooklawn;

WHEREAS, Oxford House is defined as a concept in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. In its simplest form, an Oxford House describes a democratically run, self-supporting and drug free home;

WHEREAS, the close proximity to our school gives us strong pause;

WHEREAS, these concerns may also, in turn, manifest themselves into financial difficulties for our school district;

WHEREAS, having a recovery home within the boundaries of a Drug Free School Zone seems counterintuitive, and is potentially unsafe for our students;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Brooklawn Board of Education strongly opposes the placement of the Oxford House at 304 Christiana Street in Brooklawn and hereby authorizes the Chief
School Administrator to send correspondence indicating such to our locally elected representatives.

During the public portion, a member of the public indicated that she “can reach out to NJEA regarding Oxford House to see if there is any direction they can provide.”

On their website, Oxford House indicated that on February 1, 2022, Oxford House Brooklawn, 304 Christiana Street, was chartered for a total occupancy of 8 males.

St. Maurice Property Update

In January, 2022, the BOE sought proposals for Commercial Real Estate services for the St. Maurice Property.

Under X. Facilities, the minutes state: “We met with John Soubasis today to hear ideas about church property.”

At the February 24, 2022 meeting, under XIV. Board of Education Business, the meeting minutes indicate: “Church update – No responses to RFP [Request for Proposal].”