The school board meeting commenced with the annual comprehensive financial report, presented by Valerie Dolan, a certified public accountant. Dolan reported a clean audit for the district, highlighting it as a significant accomplishment. She explained that no formal recommendations for corrective actions were necessary, although management had received suggestions to avoid potential pitfalls. Acknowledging the challenges of rising costs and changes in accounting standards, Dolan emphasized the importance of diligent budget oversight. The district’s financial position was described as strong, with an increase in surplus and fund balance, providing flexibility for future capital projects and addressing inflationary pressures. The board expressed gratitude for the successful audit and congratulated the administrative team for their efforts.

The meeting also focused on the district’s HIB process, which has seen positive developments in recent years. The board reviewed the district’s self-reflection and scoring for each school building, noting a 29% decrease in reported HIB incidents, from 80 to 57 cases. This reduction was attributed to a supportive culture within the schools that discourages harassment and bullying. The addition of multilingual staff was highlighted as a significant improvement, with three out of four HIB specialists now able to communicate in multiple languages. This change, along with the allocation of two specialists at the high school, aims to better handle cases without overloading individual counselors. The effectiveness of reporting and investigation procedures was underscored, with specialists adhering to a 10-day reporting protocol and maintaining communication with principals throughout the process. The district’s diverse community was celebrated, with the speaker emphasizing the goal of fostering growth through communication, stating, “together we thrive.”

Recognition of students and staff was a central theme of the meeting, with the superintendent introducing students of the month from various schools. These students, ranging from pre-kindergarten to high school, were acknowledged for their academic achievements and aspirations. Employees of the month were also celebrated, with Mr. Michael Ratliff from Community Middle School praised for his exceptional instruction in computer science, and Miss Mary Kate Gerardi from Lafayette School recognized for her impactful instruction as a reading ASI teacher.

The student board member report provided updates on winter sports teams, including notable performances in track, basketball, and wrestling. The competition cheer team commenced practices for their second official winter season. The introduction of pet therapy at Lafayette School was noted as a new initiative to support social and emotional learning. School clubs and activities were also highlighted, including the sports and marketing club’s MVP voting tradition and the student council’s organization of a winter pep rally.

Further discussions during the meeting included updates from the education and governance committees. New courses, such as an AP seminar and an AP cybersecurity course, were introduced, with positive reception. The governance committee addressed a grievance filed by the Bound Brook Education Association and discussed a Bible study club proposal that would operate under adult supervision without incurring district costs. Changes to policies regarding the administration of over-the-counter medications in schools were announced, requiring either a prescription or a completed form for nurses to dispense such medications.

The human resources committee report highlighted a decrease in staff turnover, attributed to the quality of new hires and a supportive environment fostered by the administration. Full year separations dropped from 57 to 11, with exit interviews providing valuable insights into staff retention issues. The operations report focused on health insurance challenges, with rising costs posing significant risks. The administrative team was tasked with exploring options for financially responsible and beneficial health insurance for employees.

Public comments on agenda items were invited, but no comments were made. The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting and other resolutions regarding personnel, district education, and board action. A motion to enter executive session was approved unanimously, and upon reconvening, resolutions concerning HIB cases were also approved without opposition.