Denville School Board Navigates Budget and Facilities Challenges

Overview: The Denville School Board meeting focused on the district’s financial future and infrastructure, with the preliminary 2024-2025 budget presentation taking center stage, reflecting a total of $41,988,000 and an estimated annual impact of $179 on the average assessed home. The budget included provisions for new educational programs, significant labor, and benefit cost increases, special education tuition, professional services, transportation, and capital projects. The board also tackled the feasibility of a property study for potential district expansion and discussed respectful public discourse, school activities, and operational matters such as personnel changes and obsolete equipment disposal.

Denville Board Advances Resolution on Electric School Buses and Asbestos Removal

Overview: In a recent meeting, the Denville Township Board of Education took strides by approving a resolution to potentially use capital reserve funds for electric school buses and by awarding a contract for asbestos removal at a local elementary school. These issues were at the forefront of a session that also addressed the rescheduling of an upcoming board meeting, kindergarten registration, student honors, and the review of a concerns document.

Denville School Board Discusses New Law for Moving Elections, Facility Usage by Non-Local Religious Group, and Celebrates Schools’ Achievements

Overview: The recent Denville School Board meeting addressed several issues, including the potential change of school board election dates, usage of school facilities by a new religious organization, and the recognition of local schools for exemplary character. Superintendent Steven Forte led the discussion on a new law permitting the school board to move elections to April, which could lead to additional costs but also provides an opportunity for separate budget proposals. The debate also touched upon the implications this move could have on board members’ terms and the school calendar.

Denville School Board Addresses Student Safety, Academic Performance, and Infrastructure Concerns

Overview: In a recent meeting of the Denville Township Board of Education, the board tackled a range of issues, from student safety and academic performance to infrastructure challenges and fiscal planning. Superintendent Steven Forte presented a report on student safety data, revealing zero substance abuse cases, two weapons cases, and five confirmed instances of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) for the first half of the year. The board also delved into the district’s academic performance, discussing improvements in math scores for third and sixth grades, and strategies to support lagging seventh and eighth-grade math scores, including implementing Math 180 and piloting a new math textbook.