The meeting commenced with a recognition ceremony for students who excelled in the International Schools Academic Olympiad. Assistant Superintendent Sandra Rodriguez Gomez highlighted the accomplishments of students across various disciplines, including mathematics, science, English, reasoning, and general knowledge. A total of 129 medals were awarded, with students like Aiden Pachard receiving notable distinctions.

Following the student recognitions, representatives from the Hoboken Public Education Foundation (HPEF) presented their upcoming initiatives. They announced the first annual back-to-school community run, set to engage nearly 600 participants. The HPEF also revealed plans to fund over half a million dollars in new initiatives for the 2024-2025 school year. These initiatives, identified in collaboration with Superintendent Dr. Christine Johnson, span various areas, including STEM, fine arts, athletics, and special needs programming. This commitment from HPEF reflects strong community support for enhancing educational opportunities.

Superintendent Dr. Johnson provided a detailed report, welcoming everyone back for the school year and sharing current enrollment numbers: 969 preschoolers, 1,617 elementary students, 444 middle schoolers, and 658 high school students, including 40 from Hoboken charter schools. Dr. Johnson highlighted several new courses and initiatives made possible by grants and partnerships. These include advanced placement courses in African American studies, computer science, and statistics at Hoboken High School. The continuation of the Innovation Science and Technology lab and the introduction of new courses aimed at fostering leadership and innovation were also noted.

Among the new initiatives, there is a focus on climate change resilience and sustainability, supported by a $70,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of Education. The high school will also introduce a dual enrollment program in architecture, in partnership with NJIT. Additionally, a course on the social, political, and economic history of Hoboken has been developed in collaboration with the Hoboken Historic Museum. These programs aim to provide students with a robust and diverse educational experience.

The board also discussed the opening of a new College and Career Readiness lab, enabling students to pursue career-ready certificates. This initiative aims to prepare students for both the workforce and higher education by offering relevant credentials. Moreover, the expansion of the dual language pilot program to include kindergarten and first grade, with ten classrooms across all elementary schools, was highlighted. A new advisory curriculum for middle school is set to launch.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Patricia Waiters expressed concerns about the board’s integrity and transparency. She referenced an incident from December 4th and criticized the evening’s agenda for not mentioning the Hoboken School Employees Association (HSEA). The board clarified that the HSEA contract was indeed on the agenda and offered to show Waiters the relevant items.

Erica Alvarez, identifying herself as the current president of the HSEA, acknowledged the collaborative work that led to the approval of the memorandum of agreement and salary guides. She expressed gratitude towards the board and administrators for their efforts in reaching a unanimous agreement.

The governance committee reported on the approval of faculty and staff agenda items, including resignations and appointments. Adjustmentsttention was given to the new four-year contract with the Hoboken School Employees Association. The contract, ratified unanimously, outlines salary increases reflecting the dedication of faculty and staff during the pandemic, with a structured increase over the next four years.

The finance committee confirmed that all agenda items were reviewed and recommended for approval. Additionally, a new sound system was tested at JFK Stadium, with some noise complaints noted during the testing phase.