The board kicked off the meeting by introducing the new athletic director, Andrew Rosado, who expressed his gratitude to the community. The spotlight then turned to the achievements of the district’s sports teams. The PRM volleyball girls’ success was acknowledged alongside the stellar performance of the boys and girls basketball teams. This included a recognition of the girls basketball team’s record and accomplishments in the state tournament and the boys’ team’s victories in a challenging league and various tournaments. Specific praise was given to three basketball players, Jace Marone, Dylan Charles, and Nick Canado, for their performances, with Canado celebrated for becoming a thousand-point scorer and all-time leading scorer in Kinnelon boys basketball history, as well as being recognized as a scholar athlete.

The hockey team’s division championship win for two consecutive years, along with their undefeated division play record, was celebrated. Two players received third team all-state public co-op awards, and Coach Jeff Myron was honored with the Harvey Cohen Coach of the Year award. The boys and girls swimming teams’ remarkable seasons were also recognized, with the boys’ team celebrating individual achievements such as Ben Panick’s rise as the fastest swimmer in the conference, and the girls’ team lauded for their consecutive state final appearances and championship titles. Notably, Zoe Davies was ranked seventh all-time for Kinnelon swimming, and Anna Kilponen was recognized as a top 100 swimmer nationwide.

The fencing and wrestling teams were not left out, with individual students earning accolades and the wrestling team finishing second in the conference. The winter track team’s sectional win and the bowling team’s status as the number one Group 1 team in New Jersey were highlighted, with Coach Souls named the Morris County Bowlers coach of the year. The bowling team’s achievements were particularly emphasized, with a state champion certificate presented to Superintendent David C. Mango.

Following the athlete recognitions, the board transitioned to discuss the implications of a demographic study conducted by Statistical Forecasting LLC. The study, which was a key goal for the 2023-2024 year, revealed a significant decline in enrollment since the 2014-2015 school year, with PRM and Kinnelon High School experiencing notable declines. Although an uptick in birth counts in 2021 and limited new housing due to zoning regulations were mentioned, a projected total gain of 112 students for the 2028-2029 school year was anticipated. Concerns were raised about the potential impact of three possible building projects in town on the district, especially regarding busing and staffing needs.

The board also delved into the district’s long-range facility plan. Updates on capital projects were discussed, including priorities such as security, building maintenance, and technology upgrades. Committees within the board reviewed various topics, from policy revisions to the non-tenured teacher list and new schedule plans for Pearl R. Miller Middle School.