Superintendent Kennedy began his report with an update on the high school bathroom renovations. Although the facilities had passed inspection, Kennedy noted that there were cosmetic issues that required further attention. He mentioned that a meeting had taken place with the architect and contractor to address these concerns, with work scheduled to resume mid-week. Kennedy emphasized that the bathrooms were usable but highlighted the importance of ensuring the work met the board’s satisfaction.

Kennedy also provided an overview of the graduation pathways for the previous year, revealing that all 91 students had met graduation testing requirements through either the NJ GPA or substitute testing options like PSATs and SATs. Specifically, 20 students passed solely through substitute testing, and 36 passed both the NJ GPA and a substitute test. Additionally, 71 students successfully passed the English Language Arts portion, while 306 passed the math component, illustrating an overall improvement in performance metrics.

In the realm of safety, the meeting included discussions on traffic issues surrounding the schools, particularly Steen School. The administration is collaborating with the local council to enhance traffic safety based on insights from a previously commissioned traffic study. However, some roads fall under county jurisdiction, complicating the board’s ability to implement changes directly. Liaison Ms. Kleam is facilitating discussions between the board and county officials to explore feasible options for improving safety measures.

During the conversation about ongoing improvements to the town’s sports facilities, a board member noted the community’s supportive response to the progress seen in the sports fields. Issues related to drainage on the football field were identified, with a previously unrecognized pipe system negatively impacting water discharge. A change order for approximately $15,000 was mentioned to enhance drainage capabilities. The board member highlighted that these discoveries were made through proactive engagement, encouraging community members to feel positive about the improvements.

Scheduling a groundbreaking ceremony for the sports facilities was discussed, initially planned for the following day but postponed due to back-to-school events. The intent is to find a suitable date that allows for community involvement. The color selection for the new track was also mentioned, with an emphasis on involving coaches and educators in the decision-making process to ensure the colors represent school pride.

The meeting also addressed communication practices within the district. A board member expressed frustration over the volume of text message alerts being sent, which has led to desensitization among parents. It was suggested that the board might consider using the school website for less urgent communications to prevent parents from overlooking critical messages. The discussion included considerations about balancing urgent and non-urgent communication to avoid unnecessary panic.

The conversation shifted to the district’s social media use. One board member praised efforts to enhance the district’s social media presence and proposed integrating these channels with the school’s app to improve outreach. The member emphasized the importance of not overwhelming parents with notifications while keeping them informed of school events and updates. Various unofficial social media pages created by third parties were also discussed, leading to concerns about the accuracy of information and potential legal implications. There was a consensus on the need for a unified official social media presence to ensure parents receive accurate information directly from the school district.

The implications of social media use by Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) were also discussed, particularly regarding the sharing of images without parental consent. Legal ramifications were noted, and it was suggested that the district establish clear guidelines for sharing images and other sensitive information. Suggestions included making pages private and non-shareable to mitigate risks, although it was acknowledged that even with precautions, screenshots could still be taken.

In terms of student engagement, a board member proposed quarterly meetings involving representatives from each school to gather input directly from students. They argued that genuine engagement is important for informed decision-making and suggested that highlighting accomplishments could attract donors to support the district financially. The member also discussed the importance of teaching students how to advocate for themselves and their achievements in future career settings.