The decision to discontinue the Care Plus program dominated the meeting, with several community members voicing their concerns. The program, which had been providing vital mental health services to students, was cut despite being previously approved and budgeted. Speakers highlighted the program’s importance, with one teacher recalling the loss of students to suicide and stressing the necessity of maintaining comprehensive mental health support. The sentiment among attendees was that the removal of Care Plus left a significant gap in the resources available to students, prompting calls for the board to reconsider its stance.

The debate over mental health services also included criticism of the proposed NJ4S program, which is intended to replace Care Plus. Community members argued that NJ4S lacks the clinical capacity to meet the intensive needs of students and that its hub-and-spoke model creates barriers for rural families seeking access. The board was urged to prioritize the restoration of mental health services, with speakers warning of the risks associated with reduced support, such as increased absenteeism and academic challenges.

In addition to mental health services, the meeting featured discussions on board governance and the approval of district and board goals. Concerns were raised about the development process and relevance of the proposed goals, with some members expressing dissatisfaction with their aspirational nature. The conversation included mentions of an incident during an executive committee meeting, where a board member claimed to have been “attacked,” raising questions about the appropriateness of discussing such allegations publicly.

Public comments further highlighted issues with the board’s communication and transparency. Several speakers criticized the board’s handling of internal governance, with one alleging that public resources were used to target a fellow board member. This claim was supported by references to legal expenses incurred during investigations and petitions for removal, with calls for ethical accountability and improved communication among board members.