The condition of East Side High School’s facilities emerged as a primary concern, brought to the forefront by community member Tiana Brown. Brown, a parent of a freshman student, criticized the lack of basic amenities for the school’s football team. She detailed the temporary locker room’s issues, which included a lack of running water, lights, working toilets, showers, and access to a weight room. Brown emphasized that these deficiencies contributed to injuries and placed the team at a disadvantage. She also noted that home games were held at Camden High, where players lacked locker room access and had to endure sun exposure without adequate facilities.

Additionally, Brown pointed out the absence of a library at East Side, limiting students’ access to reading materials. She collaborated with a local organization to fund classroom resources, but stressed that such opportunities were not universally available. The lack of a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or liaison further compounded the issue, with Brown questioning who would advocate for the children if not the parents. Other community members echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential impact on student-athletes’ college opportunities due to inadequate facilities.

The board also addressed the introduction of a pilot alternative education program, as presented by the superintendent. The program aims to support students facing behavioral challenges that hinder their academic progress. The superintendent outlined the program’s goals, which include reducing suspensions, maintaining academic continuity, and facilitating reintegration into regular school settings. The program, operating Monday through Thursday evenings with remote learning on Fridays, will offer personalized behavioral support and job placement opportunities. Parental involvement is emphasized, with the decision to participate being voluntary.

This initiative was met with support from board members, with one member describing it as a means of re-engaging struggling students through understanding and compassion. The program is positioned as a positive step forward rather than a punitive measure.

Budget constraints and state monitoring also featured prominently in the meeting. The district is currently under a budget freeze as the New Jersey Department of Education assesses its financial situation. This has led to a postponement of field trips and other activities, exacerbating the district’s operational challenges. Board members expressed concern about the financial strain, likening the situation to being “on life support,” and called for engagement with state officials to seek solutions.

The meeting further delved into performance metrics, with the presentation of New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) scores from spring 2025. The data revealed improvements in passing scores for English Language Arts and mathematics across multiple grade levels, although there were noted declines in eighth and ninth grades. These findings prompted discussions on curriculum effectiveness and targeted interventions to support student achievement. The transition from Pearson to Cambium testing platforms was highlighted, with an emphasis on monitoring the comparability of data moving forward.

Concerns about staffing shortages were raised, particularly the nationwide teacher shortage impacting Camden. The district is working to recruit and retain qualified teachers, with efforts to reduce reliance on long-term substitutes and enhance instructional continuity. The meeting also addressed class size limits and the need for full-time teacher assistants for at-risk students.

The introduction of the “Lighting the Pathway to Excellence” award was announced, recognizing staff members for their contributions to the district.