Lisa Cottell’s appointment as the principal of Little Brook Elementary was a notable item of discussion. Dr. Lusak, who spoke about the selection process, emphasized that each of the seven finalists possessed exceptional qualifications. Cottell’s experience and reputation in the Hillsborough Township community, where she previously taught, were pivotal in her recommendation. Cottell herself addressed the board, expressing her enthusiasm and commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment for students and collaborating with staff and families to inspire children to embrace challenges. Her introduction was met with unanimous board support and approval.

During the public comment session, several students from Troop 72146 shared their project on understanding government and civic engagement. They were working towards earning their Inside Government badge. Anisha, a junior Girl Scout, introduced the troop and their goals, while Fiona recounted their visit to the New Jersey State House.

Nelly, a fourth-grade student, raised a concern about bike safety at a busy intersection near her home. She suggested the need for a crossing guard to improve safety at the crosswalk. Although the board acknowledged Nelly’s concerns, they clarified that the authority for implementing such safety measures resides with the town’s police department. They encouraged Nelly and her peers to bring their concerns to an upcoming town council meeting. Nelly’s plea for a crossing guard resonated with attendees, prompting applause.

Wilma Solomon, a member of Not in Our Town Princeton, also participated in the public comments, praising the Girl Scouts’ presentation and expressing hope for future civic engagement. Solomon introduced her involvement in addressing equity issues within the community and her intention to engage with the board on matters of racial justice and equity.

A significant portion of the meeting was devoted to discussing an audit report on equity within the school district, conducted between 2017 and 2018. The audit assessed various aspects of equity, including community perceptions, student achievement, and participation levels, gathering insights from over 2,000 stakeholders. The report concluded with several recommendations, and a speaker urged the board to prioritize these recommendations, especially considering the district’s current financial challenges. The administration assured that they were monitoring progress related to equity, with updates available on their YouTube channel, including presentations by Dr. Chu on improving test scores among lower-performing students.

The meeting’s agenda also included committee reports, with updates from the student board member on upcoming student council meetings and achievements in sports. Notably, the long-term planning committee discussed sustainability goals, collaborating with Sustainable Princeton to review previous achievements and plan future projects. These included energy efficiency initiatives like lighting upgrades at the middle school.

The operations committee reported on summer projects and sustainability initiatives, including tree grants and energy-saving competitions, while also addressing several contracts and grants. The personnel committee highlighted the appointment of the new principal for Little Brook and discussed a conflict management program and a cell phone policy, anticipated to be communicated by August 1st.

During the public comment segment, a sophomore, Eva, expressed concerns about the English curriculum at Princeton High School. She critiqued the lack of advanced options and limited book assignments, arguing that this hinders students’ critical thinking skills. Eva proposed an increase in the number of books read in class to better engage students and identify those struggling. She also raised issues with the math grading system.

Concerns were also raised by students involved in the Latinos Unidos Club regarding graduation sashes representing their cultural identities. They shared their disappointment over the principal’s communication prohibiting the wearing of such sashes during graduation. The board responded by indicating they would investigate the matter, citing a possible miscommunication.