A concern at the meeting was the condition of school trailers, particularly at Switlick School, where mold was discovered behind a bookshelf in one of the trailers. This issue stemmed from a leak in the roof that had infiltrated the walls. The discovery led to a rapid response, necessitating the relocation of eight full classrooms back into school buildings. The administrative teams conducted visual checks and mobilized resources on short notice to manage the logistics of moving students and staff. The board members and the central office team were commended for their tireless efforts, which extended late into the night to address the crisis.

The relocation process required a significant degree of flexibility from teachers and staff, who dismantled and reassembled their classrooms in new locations. Additionally, parents, particularly those with preschool children, had to adjust to changes in schedules and locations. Despite the disruption, the transportation department successfully rerouted students within a two-day timeframe to minimize the impact on instructional time.

The three affected trailers will remain offline while a testing company evaluates the condition of the portables and other trailers. Safety and consistency for students and staff were prioritized. To accommodate the displaced classes, media centers within the schools have been repurposed for small group instruction.

Additionally, the board received updates on the near completion of the Fieldhouse project at Memorial High School. Supported by the Town Council and the Jackson Education Foundation, the project benefited from donations of time, equipment, and funds. The development is expected to enhance facilities for all sports teams, with an updated concession stand being a notable improvement.

The meeting also highlighted the implementation of two significant grants aimed at enhancing mental health support within the district: the School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) Grant and the Depression Screening (DS) Grant. Both grants are five-year initiatives, with the district currently in year two of the SBMH Grant and year one of the DS Grant.

The SBMH Grant addresses the shortage of school-based mental health professionals by providing support for students facing social and emotional challenges through a multi-tiered system. An intern program has successfully placed 12 interns across nine schools, aiding in the training of future school psychologists, social workers, and school counselors. The grant also funds training for up to 30 staff and interns in crisis preparedness and has led to the adoption of the “Second Step” curriculum, now implemented in five elementary schools. All school libraries have been designated to receive mental health resources.

Future plans for the SBMH Grant include continuing the intern program, launching the LinkIt platform, and training an additional 20 staff members and 10 interns in crisis preparedness. The district also aims to expand curriculum materials in participating schools and implement a college readiness program for grades 9 through 12. Efforts to attract highly qualified interns through partnerships with universities like Georgian Court and Monmouth University are ongoing.

The DS Grant features a two-step screening process for students to address their mental health needs. The first part is a universal social-emotional screening, administered electronically, while the second part involves a depression screening for middle and high school students, overseen by part-time licensed mental health clinicians. Screenings will only occur for students whose parents have opted in by completing a permission form. Communication regarding this opt-in process is scheduled to be sent out to parents in October. Jackson Memorial High School is currently ineligible for this screening due to its Title I status.

The goals of these screenings include identifying students with social and emotional challenges and enhancing the current staff’s capacity to address behavioral and mental health needs. The initiative also aims to increase the diversity of school-based mental health professionals to better support multilingual learners and their families.

Other notable highlights from the meeting included the introduction of new high school board representatives. Katie Urgle from Jackson Liberty High School and Colin Williams from Jackson Memorial High School provided updates on school activities, sports achievements, and upcoming events like homecoming. They also discussed various fundraising efforts, including initiatives supporting Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The board also discussed its advocacy efforts, with Chairperson Megan Gardella reporting a meeting with Assemblyman Ziki to discuss school funding legislation. The suggestions included adequate funding for all districts and establishing minimum and maximum per-pupil spending amounts.