Christine Miller, a resident of Mays Landing, emotionally addressed the board about the recent suicide of Anish, a freshman at Oakcrest. She expressed gratitude towards Superintendent James Reina, school counselors, and staff for their immediate and coordinated response in supporting students through the crisis. Miller emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing social-emotional learning in the curriculum and ensuring every student is connected to a trusted adult. Her plea highlighted the necessity of empathy and support within the school community, urging continuous reflection on policies that impact student well-being.

The board also reviewed graduation ceremonies, which faced some logistical challenges, including electrical issues. Superintendent Reina acknowledged these challenges and proposed discussions at the July retreat to explore possible changes, such as adjusting ceremony timings to accommodate potential weather disruptions and considering the need for larger stages. Reina mentioned the importance of learning from this year’s experiences to improve future events.

Additionally, the board is set to discuss cell phone policies during their July retreat. The board plans to work with the teachers’ union to address concerns and determine if policy changes are needed, with a goal to communicate any updates to staff and families by mid-August.