The meeting’s central topic was the appointment of Ms. Jessica Cangelosi Hay as the new superintendent, effective August 24, 2024, through June 30, 2028. The board unanimously supported her appointment following a motion that was seconded and passed without opposition. Ms. Cangelosi Hay has served in various capacities within the district for five years, including as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction and most recently as the Assistant Superintendent. Her record includes increasing dual enrollment partnerships, expanding magnet programs, and contributing to the school’s significant ranking achievements. The board expressed confidence in her leadership abilities and her collaborative nature.

Following the appointment, Ms. Cangelosi Hay presented data on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) and the ACCESS test for multilingual learners. She clarified that the NJ GPA is a graduation requirement for students in grade 11, replacing previous course-specific assessments. The NJ GPA is designed to align with New Jersey student learning standards and features two performance levels: “graduation ready” and “not yet graduation ready,” the latter of which she found somewhat alarming for students and families.

The discussion revealed a disparity in graduation readiness between English Language Arts (ELA) and math, with the district performing 9% higher in ELA and 18% higher in math compared to state averages. Gender differences were noted, with a 6% disparity in math and a 9% difference in ELA proficiency between male and female students. Efforts are ongoing to address this gender gap, particularly in engaging male students in literature. The analysis also highlighted disparities for Black, African-American, and Hispanic students. An encouraging increase was reported for Hispanic and Latino students in math, where readiness rose from 33% to 49%, and a 9% increase for Black and African-American students. However, caution was advised when interpreting these percentages due to the small number of students represented.

The board discussed various pathways for graduation readiness, including state assessments, standardized test scores, and portfolio projects completed in the senior year. The multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) was described, detailing intervention levels from general classroom support to more intensive assistance. The district employs strategies like after-school tutorials and a targeted summer program for students who do not pass the NJ GPA. Specific areas of proficiency in ELA and math were identified as needing improvement, with targeted tutoring and retesting planned for the fall.

Transportation safety was another significant topic, with several individuals expressing concerns during the public comment segment. Rachel Lad, a bus driver for Hunterdon Central, emphasized the importance of safety in student transportation. She criticized the Flemington-Raritan School District’s decision to offer free transportation for all preschool students, arguing that it could compromise safety. Lad highlighted the dangers of increasing the number of car seats on vans and buses, citing statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation about school bus fires. Joanne Tangi, another transportation employee, reiterated these safety concerns, referencing a tragic bus crash in 1988 that led to various safety regulations for school buses. Both Lad and Tangi called for a standard limiting the number of car seats on buses to ensure safety.

Michelle Hurley, representing the Flemington-Raritan Board of Education, expressed disappointment over the decision to dissolve the joint transportation venture, noting its successful operation for nearly 30 years. Hurley and Ryan Binstock, also from the Flemington-Raritan Board, urged the board to reconsider the motion, highlighting potential financial implications and increased operational costs. They stressed the need for efficiency and fiscal responsibility, especially during challenging economic times. The urgency and gravity of these issues underscored the importance of collaboration and communication to ensure student safety and manage resources effectively.

The board also addressed personnel matters, including two retirements of long-serving staff members and several resignations, including that of the interim superintendent. There were numerous contractual salary appointments and internal movements within the operations and transportation departments. The hiring of a new world language teacher completed the last of the open general education teacher positions, positioning the district favorably for the new school year.

Policy updates included a first read of six policies, mandated updates for student surveys, unsafe school choice options, and special education receiving schools. The board emphasized staff training in de-escalation techniques concerning physical restraints, applied only in emergencies. The Racism, Equity, and Diversity Committee’s ongoing work to include a student representative on the board was also highlighted, with a clarified selection process involving voting by student council officers.

In other business, the board reviewed and approved the curricula for the 2024-2025 school year, including new Social Studies classes and a course in technology engineering and design. Textbooks for the upcoming school year were adopted, and officials for compliance oversight were approved.