A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the adoption of the i-Ready math program for grades K-5. The decision followed a review process that included committee meetings, teacher and parent surveys, classroom visits, and assessment data. i-Ready was well-received, showing a 15% increase in parent satisfaction and favorable reports on student engagement and improvement in math skills. Teachers reported growth in students’ mathematical reasoning and confidence. The board acknowledged the challenges related to the assessment calendar, math scheduling, and technology utilization with the new program. The cost of i-Ready and expected savings from discontinuing other math programs were also discussed, with the board planning a full implementation in September, including teacher training and ongoing support.

The other significant topic of discussion was the school district’s budget for the 2024-2025 school year. The board deliberated over a proposed tax levy increase of 2.88%, which would bring the budget to 41 million dollars. The increase was justified by adjustments such as enrollment and healthcare, as well as the utilization of the bank cap. The effective tax rate was determined to be 1.55%, translating to an estimated monthly increase of $12 for the average assessed home. The budget allocation was discussed, with 58% dedicated to the school district. New additions to the budget were introduced, including investments in cybersecurity, the elementary math curriculum, high school business course revamp, and positive behavior support at the middle school. Notably, the board was enthusiastic about a vendor’s offer of three months free access to a cybersecurity program, emphasizing the importance of cyber defense.

Financial stewardship was further underscored by the board’s expression of pride in maintaining no increase in activity fees or Chromebook fees. This decision was aimed at not imposing additional financial burdens on families. The board also examined potential sources of miscellaneous revenue, which included interest yields, promotional fees, and fines for lost books.

In addition to these core discussions, the board covered the upcoming Earth Day celebration by the Environmental Club, NJSLA testing details, AP testing schedule, and student council elections. Excitement was also conveyed for the Bulldogs of Broadway event and the arrival of a replica of Washington’s tent as an educational tool for eighth-grade students.

The meeting further addressed a new initiative on elementary school report cards, transitioning to a standards-based grading system. This initiative aimed to improve consistency and provide detailed progress reports for parents. Report cards would feature clickable links to rubrics and narrative comments, with past records available online for comparison.

The board also took time to recognize the dedication of staff members approaching retirement. Additionally, the meeting encompassed discussions on upcoming field trips, the importance of equitable experiences across schools, and the need for field trip report summaries to ensure policy alignment.

The meeting concluded with the approval of various administrative items, such as the suspension HIV vandalism report, policy approval bylaws, job descriptions, and the revised academic calendar. Personnel matters, including retirements, transfers, salary upgrades, and mentoring, were also sanctioned, along with the adoption of the finance recommendations.