During the meeting, a resident raised concerns about an administrator’s inappropriate posting of student images on personal social media accounts. The resident underscored the violation of Board Policy 1920, which mandates obtaining prior written consent from parents or guardians before releasing or publishing student photographs. The resident stated, “The lack of response from the board is struggling. Failure to obtain proper consent before using images of minors is not just an oversight; it’s a serious offense.” The resident called for an independent investigation and the development of a clear policy governing the use of student images, emphasizing the importance of protecting children’s privacy and well-being.

Another resident, identifying as a candidate for the Board of Education, questioned the use of the Fair Lawn logo in campaign materials, asking whether the candidate using the logo had received permission and whether this created an unfair advantage. Additionally, the resident sought clarification on whether the teachers’ union had endorsed the candidate in question.

The discussion also touched on concerns regarding the curriculum at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, specifically the inclusion of Islam in the seventh-grade enriched social studies curriculum. The resident expressed confusion and concern, asking, “Why is a public school teaching religion specifically Islam?” and inquiring when students would learn about other religions like Christianity and Judaism. Furthermore, the resident addressed the tradition at Fair Lawn High School where seniors paint slogans on their cars, questioning whether policies were in place to prevent political or hateful messages. The resident cited an anti-Semitic slogan as a particular concern, stating, “We have no place for hate.”

Dr. Deer responded to some of the public comments, clarifying that media consent forms are sent to parents prior to posting images on school-affiliated social media platforms. He stated, “Parent permissions are obtained via the media consent form,” emphasizing compliance with board policy. Regarding the logo and branding issue, Dr. Deer mentioned that a follow-up message would be sent out soon, reiterating the initiative’s goal of creating a cohesive brand identity across the district.

In addition to these issues, the meeting featured a detailed presentation on graduation pathways data by Dr. Lactina and Miss DeFranco. They reported that the Class of 2024 had 387 graduates from Fair Lawn High School. For those who did not pass, alternative assessments like the PSAT and SAT were used, with 37 additional students passing through substitute tests. However, four students were denied graduation due to insufficient credits.

Dr. Lactina also discussed district goals derived from community feedback through a Thought Exchange survey, which received 2,423 responses from students, staff, parents, and community members. The feedback revealed pride in the district’s diversity, academic excellence, and extracurricular activities while highlighting areas for improvement, such as bullying awareness, mental health, and infrastructure maintenance. The district goals included enhancing Career and Technical Education (CTE), promoting student and staff well-being, and implementing tiered academic systems of support.

The board discussed the implementation of new computer science courses for the upcoming school year, emphasizing the need to create course outlines and address potential funding requirements. A comprehensive local needs assessment for the Perkins Grant was mentioned as necessary for any potential expansion of CTE programs. The discussion also highlighted the importance of professional development for special education teachers and the introduction of school counselors dedicated to ninth-grade students to facilitate smoother transitions.

Public comments included concerns about the proposed $20,000 expenditure to redesign the district’s logo, with one resident questioning whether it would improve the district or enhance student happiness. Another resident inquired about the status of the high school’s digital sign, which was reportedly non-functional and awaiting a part. Positive feedback was also shared about a recent back-to-school night, with praise for the high school environment and engaging teachers.