A central highlight of the meeting was the announcement that all five schools in the Hoboken School District earned the National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Lighthouse award. Robin Patra, the most senior principal in the district and president of the Hoboken Administrators and Supervisors Association, addressed the board and public to emphasize the collaborative efforts that led to this honor. The distinction marks Hoboken as the first school district in New Jersey to achieve this level of recognition.

Patra detailed the district’s journey toward this achievement, which included participation in the 2023 Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence conference in Orlando, Florida. The attendance of several principals at this conference was funded through the ARP ESSR grant. They engaged in professional development workshops and learned about the nine key performance indicators (KPIs) evaluated by the organization. These KPIs include student focus and support, school organization and culture, and school-family-community partnerships.

The evaluation process required each school to undergo a rigorous online survey assessment and a two-day on-site validation visit by a trained assessor. This visit included classroom walkthroughs and interviews with parents, students, and staff to gather evidence and confirm survey results. This extensive process culminated in an exit summary conference that discussed a report and action plan for future growth. The award announcement on August 15 highlighted the hard work and dedication of the educational community, including students, staff, and families.

During public comments, local resident and parent Melanie Tan expressed that this recognition resulted from years of hard work and progress within the district. Another speaker, Roseanne Verace, reflected on the district’s evolution, acknowledging past challenges and praising the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders that contributed to the current success.

Following the recognition of this achievement, Dr. Christine Johnson presented a significant superintendent’s report announcing the initiation of a new five-year strategic planning process for the Hoboken Public School District. This strategic plan will serve as a guiding document for district actions and decisions over the next five years. Central to the initiative is a revision of the district’s vision and mission statements and the establishment of strategic goals. A particular focus will be on the “portrait of the Hoboken high school graduate,” which will define the essential skills and attributes the district aims for students to possess upon graduation.

Dr. Johnson emphasized that the portrait of the graduate would influence all aspects of the educational experience, from curriculum to extracurricular programs. This framework, developed in collaboration with a national leader in educational innovation, seeks to equip students with skills such as academic excellence, college and workforce readiness, global competence, social and emotional intelligence, and civic engagement. Dr. Johnson stated, “The portrait of the Hoboken high school graduate is more than just a statement of educational descriptors; it’s a commitment to fostering a learning environment where every student can grow and thrive.”

Additionally, the report highlighted the importance of a long-range facilities plan, necessitated by increasing enrollment and aging infrastructure. This plan, required by the New Jersey Department of Education, focuses on assessing future needs for educational facilities, addressing necessary renovations, and potential new construction. Securing funding for these projects will involve exploring options through the School Development Authority or a referendum.

The strategic planning process is designed to be collaborative, involving input from a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, staff, parents, community members, and elected officials. The process encompasses eight phases, beginning with a significant kickoff on September 9 and concluding with a presentation of the finalized strategic plan at the February 11 board meeting. This timeline allows for internal and external stakeholder surveys and focus group meetings to gather comprehensive feedback and suggestions.

In other updates, the Hoboken School District was selected to participate in Governor Murphy’s Promising Practices Project aimed at accelerating student learning, with Joseph at Brand Elementary School recognized as a standout institution. The facilities report included updates on new security doors installation at Conor and Wallace schools, supported by the Hoboken Public Education Foundation. Additionally, the finance committee acknowledged a contribution of $54,500 from the Hoboken Public Education Foundation for various initiatives.

The wellness committee discussed plans for a Thanksgiving food drive and the introduction of no-waste food bins in cafeterias. The committee also addressed the issue of vaping among students by announcing the installation of vape detectors in the bathrooms of Hoboken High School and Hoboken Middle School. CPR and first aid certification training for staff and the ongoing provision of menstrual products to students were also topics of discussion.

An important update was provided regarding a city council ordinance aimed at establishing pilot education trust accounts, linked to funds from a development agreement, which passed its first reading unanimously. The collaborative effort between the board, administration, and charter school leadership to secure these funds was acknowledged as essential for the benefit of Hoboken students.