A central discussion of the meeting was the introduction of the strategic planning process for the Kearny School District, presented by a field service representative from New Jersey School Boards. The planning process is set to involve stakeholders, including parents, staff, students, and community members without children in the schools, in shaping the district’s future vision. The representative explained that the approach would be proactive, focusing on long-term goals rather than reactive crisis management. The process is designed to ensure alignment with district goals, optimize resources, and adapt to changes in enrollment, demographics, and economic conditions.

The strategic planning will unfold through a series of three main meetings, which will assess the district’s strengths and challenges, engage in visioning exercises, and set actionable goals. The meetings are scheduled to run from February to April, with community engagement being a priority to ensure broad participation. This initiative aims to create a “3D strategic plan” by determining the current state, envisioning a desired future, and developing plans to achieve those goals. Participants will contribute to a living document that guides district actions over the next five years.

Following the strategic planning introduction, the board reviewed data on student performance, including the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) and Advanced Placement (AP) results. The district reported improvements in several areas since the previous assessments. Mathematics scores improved by 3% overall, with significant gains in grades six and eight. The district also noted a remarkable 33% increase in geometry performance since 2023. In science, scores rose by 5%, with the district outperforming peer districts across all assessed grades.

Advanced Placement achievements were another highlight, with 181 students taking 284 exams. Of these, 59% achieved scores of three or higher, with perfect scores reported in English, Calculus, and Physics. The district celebrated the fact that high school students outperformed their peers statewide and globally in several subjects, and multiple students received AP Scholar Awards.

The meeting also included a presentation on the district’s Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) initiatives. The anti-bullying coordinator presented the 2023-24 HIB grade report, where the district achieved a score of 76 out of a possible 78. This score reflects significant improvements from prior years when scores were in the 48-50 range. The district’s strong incident reporting and investigation procedures were credited for this advancement, supported by the implementation of the HIBster system, which streamlined processes. Efforts to enhance training and compliance with the HIB policy were acknowledged, including mental health training for staff.

In addition to strategic planning and performance assessments, infrastructure projects were discussed. The board reviewed several payouts for ongoing projects, such as the Franklin School roof and classroom renovations, as well as HVAC work at Roosevelt School. Change orders related to these projects were noted.

The meeting also recognized the contributions of student-athletes and staff. Two students were named athletes of the month: Kira Chino for girls’ soccer and Benji Silva for boys’ soccer. The board acknowledged the retirement of Karen Solar, a behaviorist at Washington School, who served for ten years.

In technology, the board received an update on ongoing upgrades, including the implementation of Prometheum boards across the district. Additionally, the district’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into instruction were discussed, with ongoing professional development for staff to leverage AI effectively.