One item at the meeting was the presentation on the new middle school project and the acknowledgment of key partners who were instrumental in securing the additional funding. Superintendent Matthew A. Perrapato expressed gratitude to Mayor Rusio, Assemblywoman Lisa Swain, and Assemblyman Chris Tully for their advocacy, which resulted in substantial state aid. This funding will reduce the tax impact on residents by $110 per year, lowering the average monthly payment from $50 to $41. This financial relief was a key pledge during the bond referendum process and remains a priority for the board.

The board presented a plaque to the three representatives, expressing appreciation for their contributions. Mayor Rusio, speaking on behalf of the legislative team, emphasized the importance of balancing educational excellence with taxpayer considerations. Assemblywoman Swain and Assemblyman Tully echoed these sentiments, highlighting the direct benefits to the community and the challenging nature of school board service.

Additionally, Ralph Walker from RSC Architects provided updates on the project’s design and construction process. The plans include secure entry points, communal spaces, science labs, music and art facilities, and a rooftop recreation area. The project’s timeline anticipates bidding in January 2025, with construction commencing soon after and completion expected by spring 2026.

The meeting also addressed the district’s academic performance, with a detailed review of math, English Language Arts (ELA), and science scores. Math scores showed a promising upward trend, with the district outperforming state averages. However, ELA scores saw a slight dip, while science scores remained steady. The district reported an increase in multilingual learners, many of whom start mid-year, impacting their acclimatization and performance on standardized assessments.

To support these students, the board highlighted the “Bubble Boost” program, which focuses on enhancing student assessments and interventions. The program’s structured interventions have led to significant improvements in student performance, with over 50% of participants moving up to higher assessment levels. The program’s success is attributed to small group instruction and timely interventions.

Operational updates included plans to replace aging unit ventilators, improve food service metrics, and address personnel matters. The board noted an increase in meal servings, with September numbers reflecting a rise in participation due to enhanced meal service efforts. Enrollment figures showed a notable increase from the previous year, excluding early education programs.

The board also addressed policy updates, with no changes reported, and discussed a three-day paid suspension for a custodial employee. The meeting concluded with public comments and a block vote on various resolutions, reflecting unanimous support from the board members present.