The meeting began with a moment of silence for Jan Ramapo, a community member who passed away during the summer. The Board announced plans to establish a memorial in Ramapo’s honor, which may include a physical item such as a bench and potentially a scholarship. Condolences were extended to Ramapo’s family, and the community was promised updates as plans develop.

Capital project updates were a focus, particularly regarding flood mitigation efforts. The Leonia Middle School (LMS) mitigation project is nearly complete, with only the basketball court striping and installation of a gate for the fencing remaining. These are expected to be finalized within two weeks. At the Anna C. Scott (ACS) School, the roof project is also near completion, pending gutter installation. The high school (LHS) has seen most mitigation projects completed, except for the external entry door on the south side, expected by the end of September or early October. Other completed tasks include paving, retaining walls, railings, and ADA-compliant parking spots, with interior and exterior door replacements ongoing.

The Board also provided an insurance recovery update, detailing progress on flooring replacements and other repairs. At ACS, flooring replacement is almost done, with the main office scheduled for completion during school breaks. LMS cafeteria flooring is finished, while repairs at LHS, including the gym, are expected to be done by mid-November. The replacement of hot water heaters is complete, and boilers are set to be replaced by the end of October.

Significant flooding issues faced by the district, especially after recent storms comparable to Hurricane Ida, were discussed. The improvements around the high school and LMS aim to mitigate future flooding. The Board noted the unfortunate timing of the recent storm and expressed gratitude to staff for managing extensive repairs.

Dr. Lee, the Board President, shared several updates, including the acceptance of a piano donation to Leonia Middle School from the family of Trudy Sakowski, a Holocaust survivor. He highlighted the family’s desire to memorialize Trudy’s life through a written piece recounting her journey from Austria to her eventual liberation. The piano symbolizes the Sakowski family’s legacy and the impact of music within the community.

Dr. Lee also reported $3,000 worth of donations from a local Tenafly business coordinated by parent Tina Rudolph, contributing various school supplies to the district. He shared graduation statistics for the class of 2024, noting that all 205 students graduated in the previous school year, with no students denied graduation solely due to failing assessments.

School safety data was also shared, revealing 45 incidents reported across the district last year, with most incidents involving repeat offenders, particularly at the middle school level. Dr. Lee reassured the public that these situations were addressed appropriately.

In a student representatives’ report, a reminder was issued for students to catch up on summer assignments, particularly high schoolers. They confirmed an outdoor pep rally due to ongoing gym construction and shared excitement for the upcoming sports seasons, including girls’ tennis, volleyball, soccer, and cross-country.

The Board moved to approve the consent agenda items, including various matters marked with an asterisk on the agenda. A roll call vote confirmed the approval, with some members abstaining from the approval of minutes due to absence.

The meeting transitioned to a closed session for personnel votes, concluding the public portion of the meeting. The Board members thanked attendees and informed them of a return to public session following the closed session for personnel votes.