During the meeting, Mr. Senyk reported on the board’s summer retreat, where they reviewed progress on the year’s goals. The board’s three primary goals included supporting academic growth and mental health, achieving Master Board certification, and working with Superintendent Michael Portas to create a systematic schedule for updates on student achievement and district operations. Senyk announced that the board had met the criteria for Master Board certification, a distinction achieved by only 47 boards statewide, including 11 in Morris County. This certification will be officially recognized during the first Morris County SBA meeting on October 2. The board’s successful efforts were attributed to the guidance of NJSBA field representative Charlene Peterson, Dr. Portas, and Mr. Gibbs.

The board also discussed the Veterans Wall project. Progress was made with the installation of monument walls, lighting, and concrete pouring. Upcoming tasks include installing pavers and final landscaping. The board expressed gratitude to the contractors for their donated services and the community for its support.

Superintendent Portas thanked the police department for their successful Community event, National Night Out, and praised the buildings and grounds team for their efforts in preparing the schools for the new academic year. He welcomed new staff during a three-day orientation program and expressed excitement for their contributions to the district. Portas acknowledged the impending retirement of Dr. Sheridan, the current director of curriculum instruction, and highlighted her 25-year career in education. Mrs. Amar Vanle will take over Dr. Sheridan’s role.

Mr. Gibbs presented several agenda items, including a new playground at North Boulevard with a budget of $58,183, expected to be installed by mid-November. He reported on selecting Direct Energy Business for an electric utility contract, anticipated to save the district nearly $3,000 over two years. Updates were provided on ongoing renovations to the ball field and parking lot, and the potential purchase of a new board office and classroom additions, contingent on the 2025-2026 budget.

The board discussed a request for video recordings related to the School Resource Officer’s (SRO) lessons, focusing on student privacy and consent. Assurances were made regarding the protection of student identities, with the videos stored securely and destroyed when no longer needed. Arrangements will be made to position students who cannot be recorded in areas where they will not be filmed. Officer Juliano requested the recordings as part of his effort to achieve a higher level of certification as an instructor.

The transition to a new Director of Curriculum Instruction was also discussed. Mrs. Vull was brought in to fill the role of director for student services from pre-k to fifth grade while Mrs. Bronco was on maternity leave. Mrs. Vull’s transition to the curriculum instruction role is anticipated to be seamless, with her already communicating with Dr. Sheridan to ensure a smooth handover. Mrs. Debbie Ioso will return in September to fill the role for the interim period.

The board moved on to policy matters, specifically concerning homework. Miss Dempsey shared an agenda summary from the homework committee, inviting questions from board members. The committee aims to revise the homework policy. The new policy might include “homework-free weekends,” particularly around Memorial Day, to avoid overwhelming students while ensuring these breaks remain special events. The final approval on the new policy might not occur until October, with potential implementation by the next school year.

During the public comment section, John Nan from Sunset Road congratulated the board on their certification goals and thanked the facilities committee for their work on the stadium ticket booth. He raised concerns regarding transportation issues for the marching band and inquired about renting an enclosed trailer for transportation. Nan also questioned whether the police department had been informed about new traffic patterns resulting from changed school start times.

Another public speaker, representing the Special Education Parents Advisory Committee (CPAC), shared their enthusiasm about their recent summer kickoff meeting and invited interested parents to join the committee.

Dr. Bis commented on the positive reception of the new ticket booth and addressed the trailer parking issue. He reassured the public that the police were aware of the new start times and were preparing for the adjustments.

The meeting concluded with board members expressing gratitude toward Dr. Sheridan for her years of service. Multiple members commented on her contributions, and Dr. Sheridan reflected on her time at the district, emphasizing the supportive atmosphere and the value of the relationships she built during her tenure. She expressed confidence in her successor, Mrs. Vanle.