Central to the discussions was the state of the arts at Central School, where students and staff were lauded for their performance in both ELA and math, earning them a visit from the state’s Department of Education and Rutgers University. The presentation emphasized the staff’s role in achieving these accolades and reviewed the visual and performing arts offerings at varying grade levels, aligning with New Jersey student learning standards.

The arts curriculum was presented as a key component in developing students’ artistic potential and social-emotional well-being. The elementary art classes were described as focusing on diverse forms of creation, such as two and three-dimensional art, working with various materials including clay and plaster crafts. Student work from these classes was displayed at an art show, celebrating their creativity and skill. The elementary music program was highlighted for giving students the chance to engage with the strings program from the third grade. The importance of the arts was further underlined by the high level of student participation in fine arts programs and the district’s recognition for its music education efforts.

The introduction of a percussion specialist, Mr. Ganny, was noted as a step to strengthen the program. The middle school art curriculum was discussed in terms of foundational elements such as observational drawing and shading. The board also acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on arts programs and expressed a commitment to addressing the gap in musical education that had arisen between the fifth and sixth grades.

On the policy front, the finance and policy committee reported on their review of the district’s incident reporting trends and the documentation process. They deliberated on the language used in policies to ensure consistency and compliance with legal requirements. Transparency and communication were highlighted as priorities, especially when discussing incidents within the schools and maintaining a positive climate and culture.

The board also addressed the finalization of a referendum scope and potential costs, with a focus on responsible financial management and adherence to state funding regulations. The need for state approval before moving forward with locally funded projects was emphasized, and updates were provided on the memorandum of agreement with the Haddonfield Education Association. The upcoming New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) administration was discussed, with a nod to the IT team’s efforts to ensure the technological readiness for students requiring accommodations.

The meeting touched upon the upcoming English Language Arts report and the need to assess boundary changes for elementary schools due to new developments in the area. Community concerns brought up the suggestion to revisit the cell phone policy, although there was debate about the board’s role in making such pedagogical decisions.

Lastly, the meeting included several student commendations, celebrating individual achievements such as participation in the eighth grade dialogue program, the National Junior Honor Society Outstanding Achievement Award, and acceptance into a West Point leadership program with a STEM focus. The high school chamber group and orchestra provided performances, with the orchestra’s rendition of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons being a highlight.