The board meeting featured a detailed presentation on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) results. Dr. Henker, the director of student services, highlighted that 89% of students were graduation-ready in English Language Arts (ELA), while 75.3% achieved readiness in mathematics. These results reflect a notable improvement in math performance, which increased from 68.5% to 75.3%, thanks to effective targeted support measures throughout the district. The district’s ELA performance exceeded the state average by 8.2 points, while math performance was 17.3 points above the state average.

Dr. Henker provided further insight into subgroup performance, where Asian students achieved a 98% readiness rate in ELA, and economically disadvantaged students showed improvement with a readiness rate of 74.8%. However, students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and multilingual learners demonstrated lower readiness rates of 62.4% and 13.9%, respectively. The board expressed a commitment to enhancing support for these student groups, acknowledging the need for continued improvement.

The presentation also included results from the ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 assessment, measuring English language proficiency among multilingual learners. Dr. Henker reported that of the 269 scores analyzed, nearly 20% of students scored at proficiency levels four through six. Over the past five years, there has been a steady increase in students meeting the exit threshold, from five students in the 2020-2021 school year to 26 in the most recent assessment. The board engaged in discussions about the support provided to multilingual students, emphasizing the importance of aligning assessments with state standards to identify areas needing additional help.

A significant topic of discussion was the appointment of Mr. James Brown Jr. as the new principal of Freehold High School. The announcement followed an extensive interview process, and the board expressed confidence in Mr. Brown’s ability to connect with the school community and lead the institution effectively. His background in education and administration was noted as a strong asset to the district. The board welcomed him warmly, looking forward to his contributions to the school.

Further discussions focused on student growth and academic support, particularly in mathematics and special education. There was an emphasis on hiring additional mathematics teachers and implementing support programs for students at varying levels of readiness. The administration highlighted that a portion of the special education population is served through an in-class resource model, which allows for targeted support in smaller classroom settings. The administration assured the board of available support programs tailored to meet individual student needs.

The meeting also covered personnel matters, including the approval of resignations, appointments, and honoraria for coaches and volunteers. A settlement agreement in a special education case was noted on the agenda. The board discussed these changes, with some members abstaining from voting on certain personnel decisions.

Reflecting on recent graduation ceremonies, board members commented on their efficiency and success, despite challenging weather conditions. There was a discussion about the possibility of holding future graduations in indoor venues to avoid weather-related disruptions. A proposal to change graduation times to the morning was also considered, offering more flexibility to accommodate varying weather conditions.

An update on ongoing facility work was provided, highlighting the development of a five-year facility plan. The board noted significant efforts to prepare for the upcoming school year.