Audubon School Board: Mansion Avenue School Celebrated as New Jersey Blue Ribbon National School.
- Meeting Overview:
The Audubon School Board meeting highlighted the recognition of Mansion Avenue School as a New Jersey Blue Ribbon National School, honoring its exemplary instruction, curriculum, and positive environment. This accolade, awarded to only nine schools out of approximately 8,000 in New Jersey, celebrates high levels of student achievement and progress in closing achievement gaps. The recognition process included a nomination by the New Jersey Department of Education based on performance data, with Mansion Avenue School placed in the top 15% of state assessments. The school received a resolution from the state assembly, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) contributed by purchasing banners to commemorate the occasion.
The board acknowledged the students of the month for November 2025 from different grades, highlighting their gratitude, positive attitudes, and academic achievements.
Staff recognitions followed, with educators and staff from various schools being honored for their outstanding contributions. Mrs. Kaylee Biano, a preschool teacher, was commended for fostering curiosity and learning through an energetic classroom environment. Mrs. Christine Egan, a paraprofessional, was recognized for her cheerful demeanor and support for students. Similarly, Kelly Angelone and Cindy Stab from Mansion Avenue School were celebrated for their creativity and dedication to student success.
A special presentation featured Mr. Brennan and his K9 therapy dog, Roxy. A video was shown, highlighting students’ emotional management and joy through interactions with Roxy.
The board also acknowledged Mr. Jonathan Maxon for his contributions as the Mount Ephraim representative, recognizing his engagement in the superintendent search and strategic planning process. His student-centered focus and calm demeanor were commended.
Amanda Brown, a physical education teacher at Havlin School, was recognized for her fundraising efforts with the American Heart Association, being the highest fundraiser in Camden County for two consecutive years. The board emphasized the importance of recognizing excellence across the district.
In her report, the superintendent shared updates on recent events and initiatives. She thanked the National Honor Society for assisting with preschool events and mentioned the Festival of Lights organized by the Audubon Educational Foundation. Despite inclement weather, the event attracted a significant crowd and showed potential as a future fundraising initiative. The superintendent also discussed the universal screener, which had been administered, and the residency verification process underway to ensure only Audubon residents are registered for school.
Public participation included questions about residency affidavits and proof of residency, with discussions tabled for the next meeting in January. The operations committee reported on the district’s budget discussions, highlighting the need to navigate unbudgeted items and potentially slow spending. They also mentioned the development of an online payment system for parents and reviewed school choice numbers, noting the state cap for enrollment at 105 students.
The education committee reported on their last meeting, including a tour of Mansion Avenue School and discussions on Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Efforts to enhance curriculum options were noted, such as the addition of AP French for the 2026-2027 school year.
Community engagement was a recurring theme, with updates on various events and initiatives. The instructional council’s relationship mapping project aimed to analyze connections between students and the community. A college career fair was scheduled for February, and updates were provided on field trips and student statistics from the HIPS program.
Miss Allen discussed a recent in-service training day at the high school, highlighting productive work on lesson planning and common prep time for midterms. The relationship mapping project yielded valuable information for education, and feedback was being collected from staff regarding the in-service activities.
The board addressed human resources matters, including agenda corrections, staffing motions, and wage adjustments for hourly employees effective January 1st. The agenda also included approvals for district substitutes and staffing for a Lego club.
Various committee representatives provided updates, including a report on the Ed Foundation’s inaugural holiday festival of lights. Despite poor weather, attendance was better than expected, and the community’s support was appreciated.
Sandra Allen
School Board Officials:
Jane Poponi (Student Representative), Mark Gatti, Allison Cox, Stephen Wilson, Sara Kuhlen, William Wilson, Ammie Davis, Allison Lipsky, Andrea Robinson, Jonathan Maxon, James Blumenstein, Deborah Roncace
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
12/17/2025
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Recording Published:
12/17/2025
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Duration:
137 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Camden County
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Towns:
Audubon, Audubon Park, Mount Ephraim
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