One notable issue raised during the meeting was the concern over class sizes at Littleton School. A resident and PTA president, Lacy Ambriyo, highlighted the challenges faced by first-grade classes that currently have 25 to 27 students each. She noted that three additional students had joined that week, pushing the classes toward an unsustainable size. Ambriyo cited a demographic study projecting 88 first graders for the next school year, which could potentially increase class sizes to 29 or 30 students if no additional sections are created.

Ambriyo proposed a practical solution, pointing out that four fifth-grade classes would transition to another school the following year, freeing up both a classroom and a teacher. She suggested that reallocating this teacher to create an additional first-grade section would not incur extra costs, countering previous claims of financial constraints. Ambriyo also sought clarity on class size cap policies, expressing concern over the possibility of classes expanding further during the school year.

In response, Superintendent Dr. Robert Sutter expressed appreciation for Ambriyo’s input but refrained from providing specific answers regarding personnel decisions or class size policy waivers.

The integration of artificial intelligence into educational practices was another significant topic of discussion. The Teaching and Learning Committee reported on their recent meeting, where they reviewed the impact of AI on teacher workloads and explored strategies for incorporating AI into instructional methods. It was suggested that a regulatory framework might be needed to guide the implementation of AI, with one board member proposing further discussion on the district’s AI policy.

Additionally, the board examined a memorandum of understanding presented by the township’s mayor, outlining financial terms for students in residential pilot programs. The non-binding nature of the MOU sparked debate, with some members concerned that the terminology could mislead stakeholders into believing a binding agreement had been reached. They proposed referring to it as a “term sheet” instead, clarifying that it was a preliminary document for review before any formal agreement could be made.

The meeting also featured the Superintendent’s Bulletin, where Dr. Sutter highlighted May as Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, detailing planned lessons and activities to celebrate AAPI leaders. He recognized Annie Johnson from Brooklyn Middle School for becoming a finalist in an international essay contest. Furthermore, Dr. Sutter expressed gratitude to Fairing Pharmaceutical for its $2,500 donation to the district’s STEM Pathways summer program, aimed at enhancing science, technology, engineering, and math education.

During the public hearing segment, Darlene Taylor, a lifelong resident and PTA president, praised Dr. Sutter for his positive impact on the schools, commending his willingness to listen and collaborate with the PTA to benefit students. Her remarks underscored the support Dr. Sutter has garnered from the community during his tenure.