The elimination of courtesy busing emerged as a concern. The lack of support for the subscription cost has prompted the board to explore alternative solutions, such as before-school supervision. During public comments, one single mother raised concerns about the safety implications for students, particularly her daughter, who would have to walk to school without courtesy busing. She also questioned the survey process, claiming she had not received a survey.

In light of these concerns, a board member expressed surprise at the walking distances required of some students and suggested exploring volunteer busing or community volunteers as chaperones. The board acknowledged the need to prioritize students’ safety and is expected to continue discussions on how to best address these transportation issues.

Another topic that sparked debate was the enforcement of a new cell phone policy. The board plans to implement Yonder pouches for cell phones to reduce distractions and improve student focus. During the meeting, there was a request for clarification on the operation and intended impact of these pouches.

A speaker supported a coach who had been terminated, praising the coach’s winning record and character. The cost of ethics cases involving district employees was criticized by one resident, who was frustrated by the board’s lack of public discussion on the matter. Recognition of achievements in the arts was also a topic of interest, with one resident urging the board to award varsity letters to the jazz band and choir. Additionally, the decision to implement a 9.9% tax increase was questioned by a speaker who argued that the board was prioritizing employee interests over student needs and raised concerns about academic performance and teacher accountability.

The meeting delved into various projects and updates. The board provided progress reports on HVAC systems and roofing repairs at the high school, the pre-K project at Milpond, and the efforts of the referendum committee. Updates on grant management, server quotes, and Microsoft and Google renewals were also shared. The Finance Committee discussed plans for revenue generation, including pursuing legislation to recoup special education funding and seeking naming rights for school facilities.

In addition to these updates, the Policy Committee discussed revisions to policies related to student cell phone use, grading systems, equity in school practices, and secret societies. The committee also highlighted the IT department’s efforts to enhance the school portal for parent use.

A debate emerged over the Yonder pouches for cell phones, with the board emphasizing the potential benefits of the policy in reducing distractions. The board also discussed the need to pay for attendance at the October NJSBA conference and the possibility of charging for extra copies of diplomas. Other topics included the Advisory Committee renaming, superintendent search process, curricular renewals, a new cafeteria lead, the district’s biosafety plan, subscription busing, and professional development.