Ho-Ho-Kus Renews 10-Year, $44 Million Agreement with Northern Highlands Regional High School

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, the Ho-Ho-Kus Board of Education has officially approved a new 10-year, $44 million send/receive contract with Northern Highlands Regional High School in Allendale, NJ. This deal ensures that Ho-Ho-Kus high school students will continue attending Northern Highlands through 2035, solidifying a partnership that dates back nearly three decades.

The contract, ratified by the Northern Highlands Board on June 3 and the Ho-Ho-Kus Board on June 4, extends a relationship that began in 1996, when Ho-Ho-Kus ended a 22-year agreement with Midland Park. Northern Highlands also educates students from Allendale, Upper Saddle River, and Saddle River.

Longstanding Educational Partnership

Superintendents Scot Beckerman of Northern Highlands and Diane Mardy of Ho-Ho-Kus issued a joint statement celebrating the renewed agreement:

“We are excited to share that we have agreed on a new 10-year send-receive agreement which will allow Northern Highlands to service Ho-Ho-Kus High School students from 2025 through 2035. Both districts have a longstanding relationship that has been very beneficial to both communities, and we look forward to continuing that relationship.”

Flat-Rate Tuition and Financial Terms

Unlike previous per-pupil tuition models, the renewed contract uses a flat-rate tuition system that makes budgeting more predictable across enrollment fluctuations. The deal includes a 2% annual escalator, helping both districts manage long-term financial planning.

Here are the annual charges for Ho-Ho-Kus under the agreement:

• 2025-2026 – $4,227,284.50

• 2026-2027 – $4,129,597.50

• 2027-2028 – $4,210,962.00

• 2028-2029 – $4,293,956.24

• 2029-2030 – $4,378,610.60

• 2030-2031 – $4,464,958.40

• 2031-2032 – $4,553,031.00

• 2032-2033 – $4,642,867.60

• 2033-2034 – $4,734,500.05

• 2034-2035 – $4,827,965.10

Assuming an average of 245 Ho-Ho-Kus students enrolled each year, the cost per student will average $17,949, starting at around $16,605 and ending at $19,455.

Beckerman explained that although Northern Highlands’ general cost per student is about $27,000, Ho-Ho-Kus is not charged that full amount.

“It does not cost us the same to educate out-of-district students. Ho-Ho-Kus also covers all special education out-of-district costs and additional expenses like transportation and paraeducators, which brings the effective cost in line,” he noted.

Governance and Community Connection

Because Ho-Ho-Kus students make up more than 10% of the Northern Highlands student body, they retain voting representation on the Highlands Board of Education, currently held by Maggie Liljegren.

Of 62 graduating Ho-Ho-Kus eighth graders this year, 87% (54 students) are expected to attend Northern Highlands.

Northern Highlands Board President Christine Ferrarie added:

“We are happy to continue the strong and collaborative relationship we have long enjoyed with Ho-Ho-Kus.”

Ho-Ho-Kus Board President Mary Ellen Nye echoed those sentiments:

“Our students thrive at Northern Highlands, and our communities have developed a mutually beneficial relationship since our first contract in 1996. We are pleased to extend our relationship for another decade.”

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