Superintendent Edward Grande announced the major achievement, expressing gratitude towards the board and particularly Mr. Thomas Lewis for his networking efforts that facilitated the grant application process. The district received the notification on the same afternoon as the meeting, and Grande emphasized that details would be forthcoming to the community. The grant is slated to run from 2025 to 2030, offering substantial support for early childhood education, a longstanding gap in Clark’s educational landscape.

Grande underscored the importance of early childhood education, noting the district’s previous implementation of full-day kindergarten in 2009. He highlighted the financial relief the new program would offer families who have historically faced high childcare costs. Mr. Lewis reflected on past challenges, specifically the board’s prior decision to cut the preschool program due to budget constraints. He commended the collaborative effort in reinstating the program to foster foundational learning for children.

Board members echoed these sentiments, with one recalling her experience overseeing a preschool program and underscoring the critical developmental stage that early education represents.

In other meeting highlights, the board accepted the retirement of Mr. Alberto Gonzalez, a veteran Spanish teacher at Arthur L. Johnson High School. The board also approved district goals for the 2024-2025 school year, focusing on informed instruction through assessment results, preparing for a facilities referendum, and enhancing early childhood education. Superintendent Grande reported on the district’s performance under the anti-bullying Bill of Rights Act, with Arthur L. Johnson scoring prominently among the schools. He also reviewed violence incidents across the district, noting 12 reported at Arthur L. Johnson High School in the current period.

Student Aiden provided an update on school activities, mentioning successful back-to-school nights, benchmark assessments, and homecoming preparations. He also noted the adaptation of the preschool to new routines and the introduction of special education classes.

The public comment segment featured resident Bill Dragy, who voiced opposition to mandated LGBTQ education under Governor Murphy’s law, and raised concerns about the accuracy of abortion-related education. Another resident, Jessica, sought updates on a project known as “2025 J MTH,” with Mr. Kus as the contact for information. A suggestion was made for student athletes to participate in an upcoming gymnastics tournament, encouraging Mr. Kus to be contacted for participation details.