Superintendent Damien Kennedy presented an in-depth report on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) results, revealing significant academic gains in mathematics and consistent performance in English Language Arts (ELA). The data showed a remarkable improvement in the passing rates for mathematics, which rose from 43.5% to 55.3%, nearly a 12% increase from the previous year. In ELA, 81% of students were deemed graduation-ready, aligning with state averages. Superintendent Kennedy pointed out that the previous year’s figure of 90% was unusually high and maintaining around 80% would be commendable.

The presentation also highlighted that 80% of economically disadvantaged students passed ELA, outperforming their non-disadvantaged peers. This strong performance positioned the district among the top performers in the state concerning economic disadvantage metrics.

Despite these academic successes, concerns were raised regarding traffic safety around school zones. One speaker emphasized the need for improved compliance with traffic rules, noting that parents often park in the middle of the street, obstructing traffic, and creating dangerous situations. The speaker recounted “close calls” where children were nearly hit due to negligence. The council is exploring outsourcing school crossing guards to enhance safety at critical points, with suggestions to implement corner cutouts and illuminated signs at crossings.

Financial aspects of the district were also a focal point, with a successful re-registration effort identifying over 60 children who were not compliant with residency requirements. This initiative was framed as a way to save the district “several hundred thousand closer to a million dollars” rather than a punitive measure against families. There was a clear emphasis on understanding the district’s growth and maintaining community integrity, highlighting the need for better oversight of residency compliance. A new program to track expired leases was implemented to ensure timely alerts for the administration.

The meeting also featured discussions on various ongoing projects, including renovations at Bixby and high school bathrooms, with final inspections scheduled to ensure readiness for the upcoming school year. Additionally, construction on athletic fields is ongoing, with a busy schedule potentially six days a week. The board noted the completion of approximately 25% of their goals, breaking down the progress into segments for bathrooms, fields, the CTE building, and the Bixby gym and auditorium. This structured approach to project management was noted as an effective method of organization.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of a community member named Vinnie, celebrated for his deep connection to the community and passion for the New York Yankees. The tribute highlighted Vinnie’s enthusiasm for baseball and the connections he made within the community. The introduction of an 18 to 21 program was mentioned, aiming to assist youth in developing daily living skills, which may have benefited Vinnie during his lifetime.

Public comments included expressions of gratitude from Sarah, the director of the Bogota public library, who detailed library policies impacting students returning to school. She emphasized that children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult when visiting the library and reiterated the requirement for students using public computers to present their library cards. Sarah encouraged parents to sign their children up for library cards electronically to ensure seamless access to library resources.

A member of the public, Susan Harper, commended the board for its early report and the “check and connect” program, beneficial for students. However, she raised concerns about the board’s financial decisions, particularly regarding high-interest savings exceeding a million dollars. Susan questioned how these funds are being utilized and whether they could be allocated for teacher supplies, highlighting a broader issue of funding allocation amidst ongoing construction activities causing discomfort for residents.

Concerns were also raised regarding the anticipated completion of athletic fields, with inquiries about soil samples and the historical usage of the area. The priority for the project was to complete the Barrow side, with sod expected to be laid down by the end of October to allow for settling before the spring. The urgency of meeting deadlines was emphasized, particularly regarding an endangered species issue that could temporarily halt progress.

The board addressed impending redistricting plans set for the following year, noting the challenges associated with high student enrollment and the capacity issues of various schools. Effective communication regarding lunch form submissions was emphasized, with reminders sent to parents to ensure all necessary documentation is completed promptly.