Public commentary at the meeting revealed substantial opposition to the upcoming referendum, with John Denning of Scotch Plains voicing strong criticism. Denning urged voters to reject the referendum, arguing that the board had not thoroughly examined alternatives and criticizing the presentation of the referendum as the sole solution to ongoing issues. He emphasized a lack of transparency, stating that the district had not provided sufficient information for the public to make informed decisions. Denning suggested that the poor planning could result in significant disruption, with as many as 30% of elementary students potentially needing to switch schools, which would also have implications for transportation and community impact. He called for a reconsideration of the timing and manner of the referendum, advocating for a more accessible voting process. Following his comments, no additional public remarks were made.

The superintendent’s report highlighted recent community engagement efforts concerning the referendum, including two open houses and a virtual event scheduled for September 9th. Over 30 new educators were welcomed during a new teacher orientation, with gratitude expressed to the HR department for their recruitment efforts. The Business Administrator, Mr. Jones, provided updates on construction at Evergreen School, noting that the project is expected to open on time despite challenges. Inspections were ongoing, and while most furniture had arrived, some items were still on order. The completion of new stairs at the high school and the replacement of bleachers in the high school gym were also mentioned. New cameras on the football field have been installed to enhance security. Mr. Jones concluded his report by stating that the first phase of an audit had been completed.

The board reviewed and approved several proposals, including additional extended school year placements for the 2024-2025 school year, field trip requests, and the submission of the annual statement of assurance for the comprehensive equity plan for the years 2019 through 2022. The board voted to eliminate an elementary special education program that was deemed no longer necessary and approved a three-year language instruction educational program for the years 2024 through 2027. Additionally, the annual code of conduct was reviewed and revised, integrating restorative justice language and updating guidelines regarding ID card and cell phone use to make the code clearer, particularly at the high school level.

In instructional updates, presenters discussed the results of the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment for the class of 2025. The assessment, first administered to 11th graders in March 2022, aligns with state standards in Algebra 1, Geometry, and 10th-grade ELA. When including students who passed through alternative measures, the readiness rate rose to 98%, leaving only 2% not yet graduation ready. A demographic breakdown revealed varied performance across different student groups. Students classified as two or more races showed a notable 15 percentage point increase from the previous year, while the Asian student group saw a decrease that warranted further investigation. Presenters celebrated the overall strong performance in ELA and discussed the need to analyze the 6% of students who were not graduation ready, considering factors such as test-day performance and absenteeism.

The mathematics results were similarly impressive, with 80.9% of rising seniors being graduation ready compared to 54.7% statewide. Including other measures, 96.5% of students met graduation requirements. However, there was a noted 5.7% decrease among Hispanic or Latino students, highlighting the need for continued focus on this subgroup. Presenters discussed curriculum changes that had positively impacted student performance, particularly in nonfiction reading. They emphasized the importance of assessing specific standards and developing targeted support for areas needing improvement. The necessity for contextual problem-solving in mathematics instruction was highlighted as a strategy to enhance student engagement and understanding.

Other notable approvals included the appointment of Christopher Jones as the affirmative action officer for employment practices. The board also discussed preliminary enrollment figures, noting an increase of approximately ten students, with expectations that new developments, particularly at Orchard Park, would add 50 to 60 students as larger residential units open in the coming months.

In business functions, the board approved the transition to a new custodial supply vendor, expecting significant discounts due to a recent acquisition. The board joined the Monmouth-Ocean County Educational Services Commission, allowing access to more purchasing options. Other business items included special education evaluations and the reading recovery program for teachers. The second and final reading of policy 8500 regarding food service was approved, having been previously discussed in June. The minutes from the meetings on June 20 and July 16 were also approved without any objections.