State funding for education was a primary topic of concern. Members discussed the unpredictability and variability that local school districts face when relying on state aid. A finance committee member expressed anxiety about the late timing of state aid notifications, highlighting the difficulty of submitting budgets without knowing the exact figures.

Efforts to stabilize and reform the school funding formula were detailed, with various associations such as NJASA and NJASBO working alongside legislators. This collaboration aimed to address the issues of variability in the state aid budget, which has caused significant challenges in planning and budgeting.

The meeting also delved into a report from a task force on the teacher evaluation system, which included recommendations for modifications to how student achievement is measured and its impact on teacher evaluations. A member referenced past changes made to the evaluation system approximately 10-11 years ago, acknowledging that while the current system has been effective, it is time for reevaluation to keep the methods relevant and effective.

A noteworthy public comment was made by Deacon Raymond Shimy regarding extracurricular activities for homeschooled students, specifically their participation in high school sports. Shimy explained that his daughter, who had transitioned from Catholic school to homeschooling, was not allowed to participate in high school sports despite meeting academic and behavioral standards. He emphasized that the Rutherford Board had issued a “blanket no” against homeschooler participation.

Shimy questioned the board’s concerns about monitoring academic and behavioral standards, noting that his daughter is a straight-A student enrolled in a homeschooling program with certified teachers. He argued, “I don’t see how the grades and the behavior would be a problem,” suggesting that the board could monitor behavior once a student is on the team. Shimy also raised concerns about the financial contributions he and his family have made to the district over the years, stating, “I’ve been paying school taxes… that’s about $100,000 I put into the school,” and pointed out that by not sending his daughter to public schools, he had relieved the district of significant expenditures.

Shimy urged the board to reconsider its blanket policy against homeschooler participation, advocating for a more nuanced approach that would allow homeschooled students to try out for sports teams. He highlighted the disparity between club team participation and public school sports eligibility, remarking, “we live in the same town, we pay the same taxes,” yet are denied access to the school’s sports teams. He suggested that the board could consider individual cases or involve coaches in the decision-making process regarding sports participation.

Board members acknowledged Shimy’s comments, with one member clarifying that the statewide change allowing for local board discretion regarding homeschooler participation in sports was made several years ago. The member noted that prior to this change, there was a statewide prohibition against homeschoolers participating in public school athletics.

Student representative Sarah presented a report on recent student activities, highlighting the positive start to the school year and numerous events organized. She congratulated Superintendent Jack Hurley on his recognition as the regional superintendent of the year and mentioned the successful back-to-school night and a collaborative project involving the textiles class and the FCCLA Club, where they taught younger students about managing worries through crafting stuffed “worry monsters.”

Regarding civic engagement, Sarah reported that many RHS students expressed interest in serving as poll workers for the upcoming election, with about 25 seniors participating after completing the necessary training. She also discussed the fall sports season, noting girls’ soccer’s strong performance and the football team’s preparation for the homecoming game.

Superintendent Hurley detailed recent grants accepted from the Rutherford Foundation and the Kadan family, totaling $74,204.98. He acknowledged the ongoing support from Mrs. Kadan and highlighted the importance of these grants in supplementing educational programs beyond budget constraints. Teachers who had received grants were recognized, with the superintendent describing the purpose of each grant, ranging from technology enhancements to projects aimed at improving student engagement and learning outcomes.

The meeting also covered upcoming events and curriculum initiatives, such as the implementation of the Atlas curriculum program, a new math program, and a phonics program. The board planned to inform parents promptly about these changes and held the Board of Education Scholastic Awards during the same meeting. The superintendent noted that the report on student achievement would be longer than usual due to the combined agenda items.

The personnel report detailed sixteen motions, including the resignation of a social studies teacher, the approval of a long-term substitute elementary teacher, and staffing adjustments. The board also discussed potential overnight trips for qualifying sports teams, emphasizing the importance of pre-approval.