http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2009/03/educational_services_commissio.html

Although there have been layoffs, the county Educational Services Commission has no intention of closing its West Amwell or its Tewksbury schools, according to Corinne Steinmetz, school business administrator. The schools serve special education students and those whose behavior has been a problem in public school settings.

Rumors of a closing may have grown from the recent ESC decision to reduce its staff by 13 between the two schools. In West Amwell, one teacher and four teaching assistants were laid off. A nurse and two teachers who resigned weren't replaced.

At Tewksbury, a teacher, two teaching assistants and a secretary were laid off. A teacher who resigned wasn't replaced.

The commission's Tewksbury campus houses a special education program as well as an "alternative" program for "disaffected" students who aren't working out in public schools.
Its West Amwell Township school accepts pre-K through grade 12 special education students and grades 7-12 "alternative" students.
The layoffs were prompted by significant drops in enrollment at both, said Ms. Steinmetz.
Based on 2007-08 numbers, school officials expected 96 students in West Amwell this year. Only 78 enrolled. At Tewksbury, where there are 30 students, 50 were expected. School officials are planning for even fewer students next year: 28 in Tewksbury and 68-75 in West Amwell, Ms. Steinmetz said.
In the past, area schools sent alternative and special education students to ESC schools. But as school boards face spending constraints, Ms. Steinmetz said, "Local districts are pulling back." Rather than send students out of district for instruction and pay tuition to ESC, some are reinstating in-house programs.
That seems to be the case at West Amwell, where Trenton's decision to send fewer students than ESC officials expected had "the largest impact" on enrollment, according to Ms. Steinmetz. Enrollment is not limited to Hunterdon County residents at either ESC school.
The commission is considering other ways to accommodate local districts, according to Andrea Romano, ESC director of schools. For example, she said, it could expand programs and services, and send staff to instruct students at their home schools.