Dr. Perez expressed gratitude for the opportunity, emphasizing her commitment to supporting educators, students, and the community. She was welcomed by the board. Her appointment was followed by a presentation from Miss Jean Clary of the New Jersey School Board Association, who outlined the process for searching for a permanent superintendent. Clary emphasized the importance of community input in the search process, mentioning that the association has conducted over a thousand successful superintendent searches. She assured the board of legal protections and the significance of maintaining confidentiality throughout the process. Clary also highlighted various service levels offered by the association, from comprehensive involvement to more standard offerings, tailored to the board’s preferences. Her presentation aimed to equip the board with the necessary tools and insights to conduct a successful search.

In addition to the appointment of Dr. Perez, the meeting addressed a issue raised by Amina McKithan, a local resident who expressed concerns about the services provided to her child with autism. McKithan detailed her son’s experience at the Abram P. Morris Early Elementary Childhood Center, where he was supposed to receive speech therapy as outlined in his Individualized Education Program (IEP). However, she reported that her son had not received any services for several weeks. McKithan emphasized the need for transparency with families regarding available services and compliance with IEPs, urging the board to address chronic understaffing and ensure communication about missed sessions. The board acknowledged these concerns, with one member expressing sympathy and recognizing the significance of the issues raised. It was confirmed that staffing shortages were on the agenda for discussion.

Hillside High School’s performing arts club announced their upcoming fall play, “Radium Girls,” with performances scheduled for early December. The in-school food pantry initiative, coordinated by staff members Mrs. Reedan and Mrs. Loftton, continues to collect donations to support local families in need. Additionally, the Student Council’s efforts were highlighted by student representative Jada Ferrer, who reported that they raised $1,300 for the Cooperman’s Barnabas Breast Center. Ferrer also noted the positive feedback from recent parent-teacher conferences and the active participation of the JROTC program in community events.

Community outreach was further emphasized during the public comment section, where Sharina Del Ros praised the board’s involvement in a local “trick or trunk” event. Del Ros also announced an upcoming Salvation Army toy drive, encouraging donations to support families during the holiday season.

Following the public comments, the board transitioned to committee reports. The finance committee discussed various agenda items, while the buildings and grounds committee reported on the approval of maintenance budget worksheets for the upcoming school year. The education committee addressed superintendent recommendations, including efforts to rectify the service issues discussed by McKithan. The labor relations committee reported on discussions related to labor agenda items.