The meeting commenced with the recognition of student achievements. Notably, kindergarten student Jace was lauded for his kindness and support towards peers and teachers, while first grader Sloan was commended for their exemplary teamwork and positivity. The board also celebrated Jan Madnik, who broke the Highland Park girls’ soccer career goals record. The athletic program’s representative praised Jan for her skill and leadership, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in her success.

Following these acknowledgments, the meeting transitioned to a discussion on the district’s performance on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments. The board received a presentation from the Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction, who provided an overview of student proficiency across various subjects. The district performed above the state average in several areas, particularly in “level four” for meeting expectations. However, concerns about subgroup performance were raised, with disparities noted among black African American students, those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and multilingual learners. The board emphasized the need to analyze these results further to identify areas for intervention and support.

The board acknowledged the challenge of improving math scores, which have shown less growth compared to English Language Arts (ELA) scores post-COVID. Discussions centered around the potential reasons for this disparity, including a possible heavier focus on ELA instruction during the pandemic and the lack of manipulatives crucial for understanding abstract mathematical concepts. The board considered piloting new math curricula to address these concerns and improve outcomes for struggling subgroups.

The conversation on state assessments also highlighted the importance of enrollment data, with small changes in student numbers leading to significant fluctuations in proficiency percentages. Discussions included examining the correlation between benchmark assessments and state test performance, particularly in ELA, where current benchmarks focus more on reading proficiency without incorporating writing elements present in state assessments.

In addition to academic performance, the board discussed policies aimed at enhancing student support and educational practices. The Equity and Excellence committee reviewed policies related to recess, determining that withholding recess should not be used as a disciplinary measure.

Further policy discussions included a proposed bed bug policy and revisions to the lice policy, focusing on communication protocols and parental notification. The board also examined the acceptable use of generative AI and academic integrity policies to align with current educational standards.

The board received a report on the RISE program, which provides support for students and addresses issues related to out-of-school suspensions. Assistant principals are set to present on the program’s progress, focusing on restorative actions, wraparound supports, and intervention strategies, including those addressing substance use and mental health.

The board expressed gratitude towards staff for their involvement in various activities, including treatment meetings, mentoring, and family engagement nights. The board highlighted the importance of finding a specialist for the middle school and translators to assist in communication with multilingual families.

The finance and facilities committee reported on ongoing maintenance projects, including upgrades to the camera systems and HVAC at Irving, and discussed the completion of baseball fields and Bartle bathroom renovations. A greenhouse proposal was debated, with the board considering the additional funding required to make it operational.

Public comments included a presentation by the Highland Park Educational Foundation, which seeks community involvement to sustain its mission of supporting educational projects. Concerns about school safety were raised, particularly regarding emergency response training, and the need for programs like Stop the Bleed in Highland Park schools.