One focus of the meeting was the issue of chronic absenteeism, particularly in the wake of the full return to in-person learning during the 2022-2023 academic year. The board heard a detailed presentation from Mr. Ross and Dr. S. about the rates of absenteeism, especially among Hispanic students and those who are economically disadvantaged or have disabilities. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing over 10% of the school year, roughly 18 days out of 180, and this metric was a central concern for the board.

To combat high absenteeism rates, a multi-faceted plan was proposed, emphasizing parental engagement and the need for students, especially those from pre-kindergarten to third grade, to attend school consistently. The board discussed the role of school personnel, such as counselors and nurses, in monitoring attendance and communicating its importance to parents and students. They noted that absenteeism often stems from parental challenges rather than student reluctance.

The proposed strategy included a tiered intervention system. The first tier involved sending newsletters and offering incentives like free breakfast to encourage punctuality. The second tier focused on organizing meetings with parents after a set number of absences to discuss concerns and formulate action plans. This approach aims to address absenteeism early, before it becomes chronic.

The discussion also acknowledged the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has contributed to increased absenteeism due to necessary quarantines during outbreaks. The board expressed a commitment to reviewing attendance data regularly and engaging families to emphasize the significance of school attendance in early education. The humorous suggestion that the smell of bacon might encourage attendance lightened the serious tone.

In addition to attendance issues, the meeting addressed transportation challenges faced by families living on Mountain Avenue, which hinder preschool attendance due to unreliable transport, particularly in cold weather. The board emphasized the importance of communicating attendance policies during family orientations, as many parents mistakenly view preschool as a daycare service rather than an educational program.

The conversation also touched on state funding mechanisms, which link financial support to student attendance, creating pressure on schools to maintain high attendance rates. This was particularly challenging for families dealing with medical or transportation issues. The board recognized the need for better support systems for economically disadvantaged families, who may avoid seeking medical care due to financial constraints.

In other matters, the meeting highlighted the athletic accomplishments of Bound Brook students. The track team excelled in recent competitions, with several athletes set to advance to state-level events. The boys’ basketball team celebrated senior Jackson Morrison becoming the all-time leading scorer, while the girls’ team also performed admirably.

Educational initiatives were also discussed, with the board reviewing new course proposals aimed at expanding the district’s offerings. These include a partnership with Raritan Valley Community College for an aseptic cleaning program and various robotics electives. The board expressed enthusiasm for these courses, which reflect community interests and aim to engage students more effectively.

Furthermore, the board considered updates to existing policies, particularly concerning artificial intelligence in education. A virtual advisory session with an AI coordinator suggested forming a committee to assess AI’s implications. The board also discussed potentially adopting ParentSquare as a communication tool to replace ClassDojo, aligning with trends in other districts.

The meeting also included a public comment session where Sam from JGB Sports addressed the board about a canceled order for basketball equipment, which left his business facing financial strain. The board committed to investigating the matter and seeking potential solutions.