Residents of a New Jersey suburb are demanding answers after an Islamic school approved for 90 students disclosed that 313 children are currently enrolled and that it wants permission to expand even further.
The issue came to a head Tuesday, when Fairfield residents attended a planning board meeting to challenge the Islamic Education Foundation’s request to increase enrollment.
The foundation is seeking approval to raise enrollment at Al-Ghazaly Jr/Sr High School from 90 students to 400. During the meeting, officials also learned that 313 students were already attending the school without authorization from the town.
That figure places the school roughly 247 percent above its approved capacity. Executive Director Hayat Jaludi said the foundation exceeded the limit because it did not want to interrupt the students’ education.
“If there are any educators in this room, you will understand and appreciate the importance of not disrupting or interrupting students’ right to be educated,” Jaludi told the board.
“We made the decision to try to run the school with that capacity of students, and we’ve been successful so far,” she added.
The foundation’s attorney appeared surprised by the disclosure and said he had not known the school was operating beyond the enrollment limit without town approval.
Jaludi rejected the suggestion that the foundation had knowingly ignored the rules. “I wouldn’t say we blatantly decided that it doesn’t matter,” she said. “We are law-abiding citizens. We understand. However, I do have a community of 313 students with an interruption to their education.”
The Islamic Education Foundation faced criticism from Fairfield’s planning board after acknowledging that 313 students were enrolled at a school approved for only 90
The foundation is asking to increase enrollment at Al-Ghazaly Jr/Sr High School to 400 students
Jaludi’s argument that the foundation had families depending on the school did not persuade at least one board member, who reminded her that local officials were accountable to the entire community.
“We have a community of 8,000 people who need to be answered for, and this is exactly one of the things that they put us here to do,” the board member said.
Jaludi also said the foundation did not realize the building’s approved capacity was limited to 90 students when it purchased the property. Board members disputed that account.
She explained that the classrooms appeared spacious enough to accommodate additional students, leading her to move forward with the larger enrollment.
One board member compared the decision to driving on an empty highway. “When I drive down the Garden State Parkway and there’s no cars on the road, I know my car can do 120 miles an hour,” they said.
“It doesn’t mean I can do it. You don’t have the jurisdiction to make that decision unilaterally,” the board member continued.
Planning officials raised concerns about emergency safety procedures and the potential impact on traffic. When a board member called for an independent traffic study before any decision on the request, residents in the town hall responded with applause.
After acknowledging that enrollment had exceeded the approved limit, Executive Director Hayat Jaludi said the foundation acted to avoid interrupting students’ education
Planning officials cited emergency safety and traffic concerns as they reviewed the school’s expansion request
Town officials said they would consult with their attorneys before determining how to respond to the school’s operation above capacity. The meeting then continued with residents voicing their frustration over the enrollment dispute.
Annette, a Fairfield local, addressed the board, furious that the school had deceived the township.
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‘I can’t believe that they are discarding the safety of these children with respect to our resources as a town,’ she said.
‘I find that very dishonest of that party. Not to mention that our police department, fire department, whoever’s safety are going to be now overextended with those additional 300 students or 300 percent more of students.’
‘That puts our children in jeopardy in terms of need of resources in case of a fire, in case of an active shooter, in case of an accident, for example. So, I feel confident that this board will take that all into consideration, but I wanted to reiterate that.
‘And I also want to bring up that I think that it was intentional in terms of deceiving this board and that should also be taken into consideration and that we should look at this from a strong legal eye.’
Aninta, who lives near the school, claimed traffic has been unbearable for months since it opened.
‘I cannot get out of my street to make a left anywhere until 8:30, 8:45, which is a huge concern for me, and I’ve noticed this since apparently the school has opened,’ said the local.
Annette, a Fairfield local, addressed the board, outraged that the school had deceived the township
Mike, another local, was concerned with the limited space and busy roadways nearby that could lead the town to a lawsuit or, worse, someone being killed
Aninta, who lives near the school, claimed traffic has been unbearable for months since it opened
Mike, another local, was concerned with the limited space and busy roadways nearby that could lead the town to a lawsuit or, worse, someone being killed.
‘Where the school is, it’s probably two acres, maybe three. I don’t even know. It’s 400 students,’ said Mike.
‘West Essex is just under 1,100 students, 60 acres. Morris Catholic, 600 students, 18 acres. So we’re cramming 500 people into less than two acres. Doesn’t seem right. Passaic Avenue, four-lane, near a highway, 400 students. God forbid somebody gets killed and then sues the town.’
The board adjourned the school’s request until November, pending a traffic study.
Following the meeting, officials released a statement that safety inspectors surveyed the school and found the building was not a hazard to students or staff and would remain open.
‘Although the prior approval upon which the CRO is based limits the population in the school to 90 students and 40 staff, the building is approximately 42,000 square feet in size and designed to safely accommodate the current occupancy,’ wrote officials.
‘Accordingly, nothing in the fire safety code permits the Township to close the school on an emergency basis.’
‘Nevertheless, the Zoning Officer has issued violation notices and summonses for occupancy beyond approved limits and noncompliance with conditions imposed by the Board in the prior approval.’
The town also acknowledged the attention the livestreamed meeting had received online as well as the Islamophobic comments left on the upload.
‘Unfortunately, comments regarding the video have included insensitive and anti-Islamic statements which are being viewed by a wide audience, including children who attend the IEF school,’ said officials.
‘Because of this and the fact that YouTube comments are not considered by the Planning Board in deliberating or deciding any application, the Township has disabled comments on the video.’
Our News Outlet has reached out to the IEF for comment.
