The board honored students for their academic accomplishments, such as National Merit Commended Students and AP Scholars, with a notable increase in the number of AP Scholars compared to the previous year. Nicholas Sedot and Abigail Rylander were highlighted for their commendations. In addition to academic achievements, the recognition of five students attaining the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout was a significant highlight. These students completed community-focused projects, such as constructing a chess table, a bocce ball court, and a flag pole, which underscored their dedication and community spirit.

The meeting also celebrated the Pequannock Valley girls’ cross country team for winning their second County Championship and the PTHS marching band for their state championship victory. The marching band’s performance, with a score of 91.1, garnered them accolades for best visuals, best guard, and overall effect. The board expressed pride in these accomplishments.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the district’s harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) assessment report. The newly appointed anti-bullying coordinator, Dr. AEF, detailed the district’s efforts in fulfilling state requirements for self-assessment on anti-bullying policies. The presentation emphasized the importance of introspection and improvement in anti-bullying practices, with the district achieving high scores in several focus areas. The formation of school safety teams and the utilization of climate survey data were key components of the district’s strategy to enhance school culture and safety.

The board also reviewed the results of last year’s state assessments, particularly the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA). Presentations highlighted areas of student performance, with specific attention given to eighth and ninth graders performing at or above expectations. The meeting focused on identifying students close to proficiency, especially those scoring at level three, and stressed the importance of targeted interventions to assist these students. The data presented also included insights into the performance of multilingual learners and students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), with discussions on strategies to support these groups effectively.

Financial matters were also addressed, with the board proposing a resolution to transfer $1.7 million from the operating account to the capital reserve account, sourced from SDA reimbursement funds. These funds are earmarked for purchasing a new board office, which will also accommodate a preschool. The construction timeline for a new playground and the installation of new windows at the high school were discussed.

Finally, the meeting concluded with community engagement in public comment periods, where residents expressed their opinions on various topics, including the use of abbreviations in testing assessments and the necessity of finding new space for the board office. The board also introduced a new assistant principal, Mr. David Rao, and approved policy changes.