NJ school admits to enrolling more people that it was approved for

How can you have 314 students in a building when you're only allowed to have 90? A stunning admission came not during a routine expansion request, but during intense questioning by Fairfield, New Jersey's planning board. When I saw the need for these students to have the right to be educated, you know, I pulled the trigger and we have been operating with that. The Islamic Education Foundation was seeking approval to increase enrollment at its Al-Ghazali Passaic Avenue school to 400 students. During testimony, board members discovered the school was already educating 313 children, despite having an approved zoning limit of just 90. Even the school's own attorney appeared caught by surprise. This is news to me, too. The school took over this building in July. Neighbors say they've been paying the price. Ever since, describing traffic nightmares and constant disruptions to their daily lives. Passaic Avenue, four lane near highway, 400 students. God forbid somebody gets killed. Some are calling for the town to shut the school down. They blatantly disregarded the rules, the law, whatever, for 90 students. They have 314 students in that building. What if there's a fire? Board members demanded to know why the school has disregarded its approved limits. The school's director defended the decision, arguing that getting children into classrooms is their primary concern. This wasn't a haphazard decision. It was a decision based on educators that understand that any mistake in education will have an impact on students. But it was not your decision to make. It was not your decision to make. Officials also raised serious safety concerns. What would happen if emergency responders arrived expecting 90 students, but instead found more than 300? An emergency fire inspection Wednesday found no imminent hazards, but the school remains in violation of its zoning approval. Summons have been issued. The town says it's now pursuing this administratively and in municipal court. In a statement to Fox 5, the school argues its 90 student limit was tied to the previous school's program for at-risk youth, not the building's safe occupancy capacity. Adding, quote, we reject the characterization that we acted recklessly or dangerously. We respect the town's approval process and are pursuing our right to use the building to its lawful capacity. We thank the town for its cooperation and fairness as we work together to resolve the matter. At this point, the school's application to expand is pending. The matter goes back before the board on November the 10th. The public will also have a chance to sound off at that hearing. In Fairfield, New Jersey, Teresa Priolo, Fox 5 News.