A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the development of sports programs for middle school girls, particularly in basketball and flag football. The head coach emphasized the importance of consistent terminology and training between middle and high school teams. The board acknowledged the need for a strong foundation in girls’ sports, with the head coach expressing optimism about the potential for success in the basketball program.

Director Gordon Whiting received commendations for his innovative approach to promoting middle school sports and fostering collaboration between school and city recreational programs. The board discussed engaging community members, including the potential involvement of WNBA players, to inspire young girls interested in basketball. Board members highlighted the necessity of spreading awareness about the available opportunities for middle school sports, emphasizing communication with families.

During the meeting, a student questioned the current basketball program’s structure, which is limited to clinics rather than competitive teams. The coach expressed confidence in potential growth, stating that a travel team could be formed once sufficient interest is garnered. The discussion also touched on the flag football program, which has garnered significant interest and participation, with over 40 girls involved in the current season.

Concerns were raised about the disparity in sports offerings, with a parent and a student noting the lack of competitive teams for girls compared to boys. An eighth-grade student, Dallas, shared her experiences playing on co-ed and boys’ teams, voicing her desire for a girls’ team and highlighting the need for equitable sports opportunities. The board recognized the importance of understanding barriers preventing girls from participating in sports and suggested direct engagement with students and parents to gather input.

The meeting also covered academic performance strategies, with Assistant Superintendent Rosemary Marks presenting an analysis of NJSLA data.

The board also discussed new instructional strategies for middle school students, focusing on tier one instruction, differentiation, and rigorous ESL instruction for multilingual learners. Reading labs and after-school tutorials were noted as key components of the academic support structure, with collaboration between ELA coaches and teachers emphasized for targeted instructional strategies.

Trustee Pringle announced the awarding of two competitive grants to Hackensack Public Schools, totaling $260,000, aimed at enhancing literacy instruction for grades K-5 and fostering family engagement in literacy initiatives. The board unanimously approved the acceptance of these grants, recognizing their potential impact on student success.