The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Jean Clear, the newly assigned field service representative from New Jersey School Boards, regarding the board’s recent self-evaluation. The board’s self-evaluation covered nine indicators, including planning, policy, student achievement, finance, board operations, board performance, board-superintendent relationships, board-staff relationships, and board-community relationships, all rated on a four-point scale.

The board scored an average of 3.7 across these indicators, with finance and board-superintendent relationships receiving the highest scores at 3.9. Clear identified strengths in planning, noting the board’s collaborative efforts in setting and meeting district goals, and emphasized the importance of stakeholder input in the strategic planning process. However, it was suggested that the board could benefit from more frequent reviews and progress monitoring of these goals to maintain focus. The board’s engagement in updating the policy manual was also highlighted, though it was encouraged to utilize the services offered by New Jersey School Boards for policy review.

Student achievement was highlighted as a primary focus, with the board receiving regular updates from the administration. Despite the high finance score, members expressed the need for a better grasp of upcoming budget challenges, which could pose a concern given the tight budget environment. The board’s performance was praised for maintaining professionalism and confidentiality, with suggestions to improve communication with the public regarding board operations and topical issues.

The board-superintendent relationship was characterized as strong, with shared commitments to policy review and implementation. However, Clear pointed out that members might need support when confronting new topics that arise throughout the school year. In discussing board-community relationships, the board acknowledged a supportive community and suggested creating informal settings for public engagement on topics. Clear emphasized the importance of recognizing and celebrating district accomplishments during board meetings to further strengthen community ties.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing cell phone policies within schools. The board noted that the committee responsible for this policy would soon release information now that the school year had commenced. Currently, cell phones are prohibited in schools, and the discussion underscored the importance of a cohesive policy that receives buy-in from all stakeholders. Concerns were raised in light of a recent tragic event at a school in Georgia, emphasizing that while parents desire to know their children are safe during emergencies, student usage of cell phones can hinder effective communication and safety protocols. The argument presented suggested that when students engage with their phones, they may miss critical safety instructions from school officials and first responders. Moreover, the potential for misinformation spread during emergencies was highlighted.

Another topic of discussion was the space allocation for counseling services at HBW School. The board considered relocating Mr. Lancaster from the counseling suite to provide Mrs. Ramirez with appropriate space for her fifth-grade counselor duties. The deliberation focused on the best practices for counseling and disciplinary measures, acknowledging that assigning discipline within counseling spaces is not ideal. Various locations had been explored for Mr. Lancaster’s office, but there was pushback from staff and community members regarding the utilization of the media center for this purpose.

The meeting also included the annual report on the Student Safety Data System (SSDS), where statistics regarding incidents of harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) were shared. For the second reporting period, Verona High School reported a total of 20 incidents, including five alleged HIB cases that were investigated but not confirmed, and four confirmed HIB violations. A new category, “preliminary determination,” was introduced. The report detailed incidents of physical altercations and substance-related issues but noted no significant violence or vandalism in the high school during that period. In contrast, the elementary schools reported no incidents, with a few cases of restraint documented at Landing Avenue School.

Lastly, the board addressed ongoing concerns regarding the HBW library. It was noted that misinformation about potential book removals had circulated within the community, leading to heightened anxiety among students and parents. A board member expressed disappointment over the misinformation, emphasizing that no books were to be removed and that the space’s configuration could be improved to better serve students’ needs. The sentiments expressed underscored a desire for change and adaptation within the district, acknowledging the necessity of addressing growing needs while ensuring that students remain unaffected by the changes.