Lucas Hart, a student in the engineering and technology pathway at Mahwah High School, was acknowledged during the Superintendent’s report for his impressive project in constructing an 11-foot, 450-pound boat in his advanced wood shop and furniture design class. Superintendent Michael DeTuro lauded Lucas for his dedication and skill, noting the complexities involved in steam bending wood to meet design specifications. This project earned Lucas a feature in the Mawa Patch, reflecting his aspirations to study naval architecture or regular architecture, with a particular interest in Notre Dame, a university that holds significance for his family.

In addition to Lucas’s recognition, the meeting spotlighted other student accomplishments and district initiatives. The Habitat for Humanity Club at Mahwah High School received accolades for winning an award in the media coverage category, honoring their fundraising efforts to build a home for a family in need. The details of this award will be officially presented at a ceremony on October 10th, which will be attended by club members and the building principal.

The dual enrollment program at the high school was another significant topic of discussion. This initiative allows students to earn college credits while still in high school, with Mahwah High School offering 31 courses that provide both high school and college credit from seven different colleges and universities. Superintendent DeTuro highlighted the program’s growth, noting that last year, 132 students earned college credits across 194 classes, with 40 graduates earning six or more credits. This year, the program expanded from 23 to 31 courses, including new offerings such as practical psychology, business and personal law, and graphic design and animation, in partnership with Ramapo College.

The meeting also featured the introduction of new student representatives, Ella San and Alexis Kasparian, who will keep the board updated on school events and student community matters. Ella San provided an update on activities at Mahwah High School, including the successful start of fall sports, the boys’ soccer team’s undefeated record, upcoming auditions for the play “Get Smart,” and the first marching band competition at Jefferson High School. She also reported on the success of back-to-school night and announced “M Day,” an event with various booths for fundraising and club promotions.

The board acknowledged the achievement of Shri Samita Budheti, a member of the class of 2024, who has been named a National Merit Scholarship semi-finalist, distinguishing herself among 16,000 students from a pool of 1.3 million juniors who took the qualifying test.

During the public participation segment, Omar Muhammad, a resident and board member of a local civic organization, expressed gratitude for the inclusion of Eid holidays in the school calendar. He emphasized that this decision acknowledges the significance of Eid for the Muslim community and fosters an environment of respect and inclusion within the school.

The meeting also included updates from various committees. The Financial Facilities Committee is preparing for its final meetings of the year, while the policy committee reviewed three policy changes. These included a minor language change in policy 2200 regarding curriculum content standards and a discussion on the appropriate use of personal communication devices by staff members.

In board member remarks, a member expressed condolences regarding the passing of Peter Wriks, a long-serving board member, reflecting on their initial challenges in working with Wriks and acknowledging how their eventual connection helped him grow as a board member.

The meeting concluded with a motion to close public comments, followed by a recess to executive session. Upon returning, the board took action on previously discussed items, including a final vote on new business matters, before adjourning.