During the public comment section, an individual shared a personal account of Emanuel Mo, a 12th-grade student facing significant challenges. Emanuel’s struggles were exacerbated by the recent loss of his mother, which affected his attendance and emotional well-being. The speaker expressed frustration with the school’s lack of communication and support, particularly concerning Emanuel’s IEP and his eligibility for Extended School Year services. Despite assurances, Emanuel was informed he lacked enough credits to graduate, a situation complicated by transportation issues that hindered his attendance. The speaker underscored the emotional toll these events took on Emanuel, emphasizing his determination to graduate despite the obstacles. They also questioned the rationale behind Emanuel’s withdrawal from the school without proper notification, raising concerns about district obligations and the process for addressing such matters.

In response to another concerned parent, a board member addressed residency issues affecting another student, Manny, whose educational placement was in question. The district claimed Manny no longer resided in Keansburg, leading to disputes over his registration. The parent voiced dissatisfaction with the district’s communication, stating the need for advocacy and assistance in transitioning Manny back to school. A board member offered to facilitate communication between Keansburg and Madawan to resolve the residency dispute.

The meeting also delved into academic performance data, revealing mixed results across various grade levels. While there were notable improvements in mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA), concerns remained about certain grade levels not meeting expectations. Specifically, third-grade performance showed a decrease compared to other districts in M County. The presentation of data highlighted a 13% increase in fourth-grade math performance and significant growth in geometry at the high school level. However, a board member requested comparative data against state averages, which was not immediately available.

The board also discussed graduation rates and attendance concerns, acknowledging delays in calculating the graduation rate for the class of 2023 due to ongoing appeals. An estimated graduation rate of around 80% was mentioned, with efforts focused on improving future rates for the classes of 2024 and 2025. Attendance improvements were noted among juniors and seniors, attributed to increased emphasis on the importance of attendance. The district implemented a credit recovery program for sophomores who missed summer school.

Community engagement was another focal point, with updates on school activities and events. The upcoming Halloween parade was confirmed to start at 9:30 AM, with high attendance expected. Other activities included honoring students of the month, a week of respect featuring a dance assembly, and highly attended trimester awards nights. The introduction of new Advanced Placement classes was praised, providing students with more educational opportunities within the district. The meeting also highlighted improvements in school facilities, with enhancements to kitchen facilities, gym flooring, and lighting upgrades.

The board discussed the implementation of tiered interventions to support students in language arts and mathematics, along with the introduction of a grant for a universal screener to identify areas needing improvement. The importance of family engagement was underscored, with the use of a communication tool allowing for real-time updates to parents.