A major highlight of the meeting was the presentation by the Assistant Superintendent on the results of the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA). The assessment measures graduation readiness in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics for 11th-grade students. The Assistant Superintendent expressed pride in the results, noting that the class of 2024 had successfully met the graduation requirements through either passing the NJ GPA or alternative assessments like the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or Accuplacer. For Hammonton students, the average scale score in ELA was reported as 782, surpassing the state average of 767. Additionally, 89.8% of Hammonton students were deemed graduation-ready in ELA, compared to the state’s 81.6%.

In Mathematics, while performance was not as strong as in ELA, the scores were still competitive with the state average, showing a slight improvement from the previous year. The Assistant Superintendent attributed this progress to the district’s intervention strategies and the use of benchmark assessments conducted three times a year to monitor student progress and address skill gaps.

The Assistant Superintendent also presented data on English language learners (ELLs) and their proficiency levels measured by the ACCESS test. To support ELL students better, the district added four new ESL bilingual positions. Additionally, a report was given on the Student Safety Data System, which compiles incidents related to violence, vandalism, and harassment within schools. This report serves as a public record of safety incidents and includes detailed statistics from January to June of the previous school year.

During a discussion, a board member inquired about analyzing testing data over a longer period to identify trends and improvements. The Assistant Superintendent clarified that the NJ GPA is a new assessment with only two years of data available due to COVID-19 interruptions. They expressed a commitment to utilizing data provided by the Linkit company to evaluate long-term performance.

The board also approved the appointment of Mrs. Lorie Shabila as the new assistant superintendent. Multiple board members expressed confidence in her abilities and congratulated her on the new role. Shabila, who has 25 years of experience in the district and deep roots in the community, shared her enthusiasm for her new position, stating, “I’m fully invested in the education of the children in Hammonton.”

Another topic was the preparation for the upcoming school year. School officially starts for students on Thursday, August 29th, with various orientations and back-to-school nights scheduled throughout August and September. The Buildings and Grounds Department is working on getting the schools ready, and the parent portal is set to open on Friday, August 16th, allowing parents to view student schedules.

Renovations and additions at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) are on schedule and within budget, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony planned for August 28th. The high school track and tennis courts have been resurfaced, and new administration at the high school was welcomed. Community outreach efforts are ongoing, with board members and the superintendent planning visits to various local organizations and events, including National Night Out on August 16th.

The fall sports season is set to commence, with football, tennis, and cheer starting on August 12th, and other fall sports beginning on August 19th. A brief report was shared about a student, Gracie Raven Camp, who was previously honored and sent a thank you letter to the board.

The Buildings, Grounds, Transportation, and Safety Committee reported on several projects underway in the district. The ECC expansion is nearly complete, renovations to the main office are progressing, and a fire alarm project at the middle school is ahead of schedule. The removal of old wood guide rails and their replacement with modern safety measures was also mentioned.

A discussion arose regarding the implementation of a payment option or app for school-related expenses, with a board member proposing a system to facilitate payments. This suggestion was directed to the Finance Committee for further exploration. Additionally, the addition of an English as a Second Language representative to various committees was highlighted.