Bound Brook School Board Focuses on Student Readiness and District Growth
- Meeting Overview:
In a recent Bound Brook School Board meeting, the board tackled challenges and opportunities facing the district, with an emphasis on student academic readiness, district-wide growth, and operational updates. The meeting’s most pressing topic was the report on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) data, which showed slight increases in math scores and significant growth in English Language Arts (ELA) scores for the district’s students. The board discussed strategies for supporting students not meeting the cut score, including retaking assessments and a portfolio appeals process, especially focusing on special education and multilingual learners.
Following the superintendent’s report, which included a presentation on the NJ GPA data, the board engaged in discussions about the importance of targeted teaching practices. The report underscored the necessity of understanding the individuals behind the data and using the information to guide instruction. Specifically, the district is looking to boost reasoning and modeling skills in math and domain-specific reading in ELA. The board also addressed the importance of disaggregating data for assessments to better support English language learners and students with special needs, highlighting problem-based learning and benchmark setting.
Moreover, the board acknowledged the establishment of a life skills club aimed at imparting practical skills to high school students.
In addition to academic discussions, the meeting also covered operational aspects of the district. The operations committee provided updates on construction projects, such as the installation of carpet tiles and modular partitions. There was also mention of oil replacement and an accounting change that impacted the June board secretary’s report on revenues. The start of fixed asset approval by a claim LLC was noted. The board took action on several resolutions, including District Personnel resolutions and board action resolutions, and confirmed the superintendent’s recommendation in a harassment, intimidation, and bullying investigation.
The meeting also touched on human resources, with the Human Resources committee reporting on the hiring process. The board reviewed the progress of ongoing interviews, resignations, and the successful setup of fall career fairs with various universities. The new teacher academy, scheduled for late August, and the positive reception of the online tuition reimbursement procedure were also discussed.
Strategic planning for the district was a notable agenda item, with the board debating the use of a facilitator for goal-setting. Additionally, there was a discussion on revising the senior privilege policy, which pertains to students who complete 11th grade in Bound Brook and wish to finish their diploma even if they move.
Expressions of gratitude and encouragement for the administration and staff were prevalent throughout the meeting, with board members acknowledging the hard work and dedication of all involved in driving the district forward.
Alvin Freeman
School Board Officials:
Richard Jannuzzi, Michael Bal, Roger Zupko, Lisa Guzzino, Joanna Musson, Gagandeep Minhas, Sidney Dawson, Therese Sue High, Donald Vollmer
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
07/24/2024
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Recording Published:
07/24/2024
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Duration:
116 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Somerset County
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Towns:
Bound Brook, South Bound Brook
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