The preliminary budget was at the forefront of the meeting, with the District Operations Committee reporting that the decision to utilize the full 2% cap was influenced by a true-up with Manasquan High School and increased costs in special education. The budget formulation’s complexity was further underscored by a report from the Manasquan representative, who mentioned the creation of an ad hoc committee to address the budget challenges. The discussion raised concerns about the rising cost per pupil and sought to identify the potential causes behind this increase.

In terms of curriculum, the board discussed the preparation for the upcoming New Jersey testing season. The administration is working to align the revised language arts and math standards with the current curriculum. The efficiency and utility of digital platforms in lesson planning were also evaluated to support these changes.

Extracurricular activities and events were topics of community interest. Furthermore, the Curriculum and Programs Committee highlighted the planning for an assembly that would feature bagpipes and pipe drums.

The use of federal Esser funding was another discussion point. The administration elaborated on their plans to utilize these funds for Lead You assemblies aimed at fostering resilience, making positive choices, and supporting eighth graders in their transition to high school. These programs are part of a broader strategy to enhance student well-being and readiness for future educational challenges.

Policy updates were also on the agenda, with the policy committee reporting on their findings regarding the commercial use of school buildings and ongoing policy reviews. Amendments to policies on tuition rates, non-discrimination, multilingual learners, and sports-related concussions and head injuries were discussed.

The community relations committee also highlighted local events, including an egg hunt, spring recreation programs, and a plant sale.