The meeting’s most pressing topic was the transportation challenges experienced during the extended school year (ESY). It was reported that on the first day of ESY, nearly half of the contracted bus drivers failed to show up, resulting in substantial delays for students. Additionally, some buses were found to lack essential amenities such as air conditioning and aides. The district took immediate measures to resolve these issues, though the situation highlighted broader concerns about the reliability of transportation services. Financial matters further complicated this issue, as the district faced a 21% increase in statewide transportation budgets while state transportation aid only rose by 2%.

The board also discussed the implementation of a new Spanish curriculum for students in grades K through 5. Fourth and fifth graders will receive Spanish instruction once every six days for 50 minutes, whereas K through third graders will have an exploratory time slot that includes Spanish once a month. Curriculum writing is scheduled for the summer. This addition aligns with the New Jersey Quality Single Accountability Continuum (NJQSAC) requirements.

In another development, the board approved changes to the academic intervention program at Ridge. To receive a passing grade, students must now pass a marking period each semester. The program will offer additional support through an elective, after-school help, and early morning sessions funded by a CIS grant. Teachers and counselors can refer students for this intervention, which includes targeted instruction in reading and overall academic support.

The introduction of the Thrive program, an in-house initiative replacing the previous ESS program, was also discussed. The program has been adjusted based on feedback to enhance group counseling and include home visits for students with school refusal issues. Communication with parents over the summer aimed to inform them of these changes. The program’s objective is to help students develop the skills necessary for regular attendance and classroom reintegration.

Greg Lucas’s involvement with the wellness committee was highlighted during the meeting. Lucas is expected to provide training for staff focused on addressing student conflicts and challenging conversations. This training will take place in the fall, incorporating scenarios for staff to practice conflict resolution strategies. A board member raised concerns about tracking and measuring the effectiveness of this training.

The facilities and operations committee provided updates on work order statuses for HVAC and maintenance. Discussions included transportation issues and the potential procurement of school buses. Although an inspection of potential bus purchases was delayed due to scheduling conflicts, the committee remains interested in future opportunities to bid on buses. The feasibility of using purchased buses for athletic transportation, which would require fewer drivers than regular school routes, was also considered.

The five-year capital project plan was presented as a draft, with discussions ongoing regarding prioritizing capital projects in future meetings. Updates on construction projects included a lack of new information on the Varsity Field Complex pending an endangered species evaluation, paving completion at WHAMS, and progress on various HVAC projects.

Liaison committee reports noted that Somerset County Educational Services served 70 students during the summer’s extended school year program, compared to 30 students the previous year. The hiring of new staff and anticipated revenue growth for the upcoming school year were discussed. Additionally, the board approved a contract allowing salary increases for staff and introduced a new period at the end of the school day for staff meetings.

During the board forum, a member expressed concerns about voting against a consultant’s proposal for training teachers, stating, “I have concerns… but I just want to make it clear that I do wish him well.” Another member expressed appreciation for the staff’s efforts in preparing for the upcoming school year, acknowledging the busy summer and thanking those involved in various projects.