Kevin Lasky was appointed as the school business administrator and board secretary, effective November 11, 2024, with an annual salary of $200,000. Lasky, who previously served as the assistant business administrator, is well-respected and competent in his role. His appointment followed the retirement of his predecessor, Mr. Stars, after 22 years of service. The board showed unanimous support for this decision, with one member expressing excitement about Lasky’s addition to the team.

The board also reviewed the start of the school year. Approximately 8,000 students and nearly 1,000 employees returned to school, and transportation issues, a recurring concern in previous years, showed marked improvement. While not every bus was on time, the overall punctuality was better compared to the previous year, earning commendation for the transportation department’s efforts.

Security has been a focal point for the board, and several updates were shared. The district has implemented secure vestibules in ten schools, with a unique solution required for the high school due to its multiple buildings. Enhanced communication systems now allow for immediate lockdown capabilities from any phone in the district. Panic buttons, required by law, have been installed in all schools with regular testing conducted alongside local police to ensure functionality.

The board emphasized the broad spectrum of potential risks to students and facilities, beyond the extreme scenario of a school shooting. Key areas of concern include visitor access, pedestrian safety, traffic flow, and the management of faculty and student access through swipe cards. Two additional security monitors were added, bringing the total to 14, and enhanced camera technology was implemented to improve monitoring across the district.

The geolocation technology in place aims to aid emergency responders by providing critical information about the school layout during emergencies. The ongoing collaboration with local law enforcement was highlighted as a key factor in maintaining safety, with joint efforts in assessing traffic patterns, conducting active shooter training, and establishing a threat assessment team. This team, comprised of professionals with counseling credentials, uses a systematic process to evaluate potential threats and determine appropriate actions.

Questions were raised regarding the lockdown capabilities of the schools, specifically whether the system could be activated remotely. It was confirmed that remote activation is possible, including access for law enforcement personnel. Further inquiries delved into the swiping system’s ability to track the number of students present in buildings during emergencies. While the system can provide a general count, challenges remain due to doors being held open during busy times, complicating accurate tracking.

The board also discussed the firearms and weapons policy, underscoring its importance in ensuring the safety of students and staff. Community awareness regarding the definitions of weapons as outlined in the policy was highlighted.

A community event was highlighted in the reports, namely the John Basilone Parade scheduled for September 22nd. This event, dedicated to a World War II hero, is one of the largest and most significant parades in the area. The Bridgewater-Raritan High School marching band, alongside other local groups including a robotics team, will participate. The presence of a retired three-star Marine Corps general and actress Loretta Swit was also mentioned.

Public comments included a positive assessment of the new school year, with one speaker commending the board and administration for their efforts in reorganizing the extracurricular activity guide, which had previously contained outdated activities. The collaborative approach taken to update the guide was appreciated, emphasizing the importance of adapting to current student interests and freeing up resources for new activities.

No public comments were made regarding transportation issues, a positive change from previous meetings. This was welcomed as a sign of improvement. The speaker also raised the topic of a questionnaire sent to board candidates during election season, emphasizing the importance of sharing candidates’ experiences and interests with the community.