Superintendent Edward Aldarelli opened the meeting with the announcement of discussions on resolutions related to law enforcement, student recognition, Board of Education member recognition, curricular instruction, professional development, and pupil services. He stressed the importance of recognizing the achievements of students and the contributions of teachers, support staff, and parents, and encouraged participation in a strategic plan survey.

The board approved a contract with EduCu Educational School Solutions for student support services at $138,000 and a contract with ESS Northeast for substitute counseling at $75,500. Additionally, the board authorized the sale of older Apple MacBooks to generate revenue and accepted a Career and Technical Education (CTE) grant for $150,000. Notably, the board addressed a change order for additional ceiling work at the Hoover project, acknowledging the added work was not initially scoped but necessary due to other renovations.

Amidst these financial discussions, the safety of students during a potential snowstorm was a recurring theme. Superintendent Aldarelli highlighted the need for timely communication with parents to ensure the safety of students in adverse weather conditions. The concerns were echoed in the public comments section, where a John P Stevens High School junior stressed the difficulty of transportation and walking home in the snow. Similarly, Matt Revnak, the ETA vice president, thanked the board and raised concerns about the impact of school closures on final assessments, proposing a potential extension of the marking period.

The board’s commitment to student and staff achievements was evident throughout the meeting. Board member Anjana Patel commended Dr. Tuy and Dawn Netel for organizing the lottery system and recognized a former Edison school student who earned a Guinness World Records nomination. Vice President Joseph Romano celebrated the student representative with an upcoming recognition event and applauded the communications team’s efforts on social media.

Community engagement was strong during the meeting, with Malav Sha, a John P Stevens High School student and vice president of New Jersey FCCLA, sharing the organization’s efforts to support the Covenant House, Ronald McDonald House, and Book Smiles. Elizabeth Conway, a community member, and Carol Bowski both praised the FCCLA’s work and the dedication of the school board members, especially during School Board Appreciation Month. Anthony Damon congratulated James Monroe School on their reopening and raised concerns about the potential pressure on the school board regarding the reopening of Stelton School for a recreation center.

The meeting also touched on the administration of non-public funds, with the board acting as the custodian for state-allocated funds for non-public schools. Anjana Patel highlighted her commitment to advocating for students, parents, and staff and expressed enthusiasm for visiting schools and engaging with the community.