Kinnelon School Board Plans Security Upgrades and Celebrates Student Successes
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
10/15/2024
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Recording Published:
10/15/2024
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Duration:
24 Minutes
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Morris County
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Towns:
Kinnelon
- Meeting Overview:
The Kinnelon School Board meeting on October 15, 2024, focused on enhancing school security with the proposed installation of a new security fence and swipe entrance monitors. It also celebrated numerous student achievements, including National Merit Scholar recognitions and the setting of a new soccer goal record.
At the forefront of the meeting was a discussion by the Finance, Facilities, and Security committee about enhancing the security infrastructure between Cisco and Kinnelon PRM. A security fence is proposed to improve perimeter safety, and a swipe entrance monitor for The Snack Shack will allow for more efficient management of access permissions. These initiatives are part of broader efforts to ensure the safety and security of the school community.
In addition to security measures, the committee’s agenda included the completion of a roof update at Stony Brook, with a final walk-through pending. The committee is also in the preliminary stages of drafting the budget for the 2025-2026 school year, with development set to begin in the coming months. A comprehensive maintenance plan, focusing on essential maintenance for school buildings, was discussed and is pending approval. Additionally, a plan for TPA services, related to retirement contributions, was highlighted, offering these services at no additional cost.
The meeting also emphasized student accomplishments, notably at Kinnelon High School, where several students were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements. Griffin Bur and Marie Levi were named National Merit Scholars, and senior soccer player Alesia Culo set a new school record for goals scored. Furthermore, a student named Terang Pond Jin presented research at the MIT Undergraduate Research Technology Conference, a significant academic honor. The school also celebrated having 53 AP Scholars based on their exam scores.
The superintendent congratulated the board on receiving certification from the New Jersey School Boards Association. He also highlighted the successful execution of reunification drills across the schools, which are important for emergency preparedness, and praised the administrative team’s efforts in this regard. The superintendent mentioned the ongoing feasibility study with Boonton Township, though no updates were available at the time.
In the Education and Student Activities committee report, discussions centered on how to allocate surplus funds from the previous year’s Tricky Tray. After seeking community input, it was decided that the funds would support after-school enrichment programs at both Keel and Stony Brook, offering activities such as theater, art, and chess. Additionally, the appointment of a new assistant wrestling coach was confirmed.
The meeting also included brief updates from the Morris County School Boards, where several board members received recognition for their certification. Topics of discussion included mental health initiatives, cell phone policies, and the effectiveness of the Cult Connect program, which tracks the progress of board-set goals.
David C. Mango
School Board Officials:
Mrs. Jean Donaldson, Mr. Michael Petruccelli, Mr. Jonathan Eisenmenger, Mrs. Dana Leonard, Mr. Carl Myers, Mrs. Kelly Parrella, Mrs. Jennifer Portman
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Meeting Date:
10/15/2024
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Recording Published:
10/15/2024
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Duration:
24 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Morris County
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Towns:
Kinnelon
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