During the meeting, Superintendent Edward Grande presented the budget details, expressing gratitude to the finance committee and the board for their support throughout the process. The board also acknowledged the retirements of two long-term staff members: a grade five teacher from the Henley School with 22 years of service and a member of the maintenance department with 27 years.

In curriculum matters, the school board approved the calendar for the next school year, which will be distributed district-wide and posted on the school’s website. Additionally, the board discussed the upcoming Camp Cougar, an introductory summer program for incoming sixth graders, and the intramural track program at Carl H. Kumpf Middle School.

The meeting also highlighted the donation of two $500 checks from P&J Fuel Incorporated, under Exxon Mobil Educational Alliance, to the district’s STEAM programs. These contributions support the advancement of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics education.

Superintendent Grande celebrated the district’s recent initiatives and achievements, including the National Day of Unplugging, the NJ GPA testing for juniors, Read Across America events, and the National Honor Society induction. He also announced the re-designation of Carl H. Kumpf Middle School as a New Jersey School to Watch.

Other noteworthy topics included the recognition of two high school students at the Union County Unsung Heroes Award and the upcoming performance of the spring musical “Mean Girls” at Arthur L. Johnson High School. The board acknowledged the ongoing efforts of the Heroes and Cool Kids program in middle schools and looked forward to the Science Olympiad team’s participation in the state championships.