Linden School Board Addresses Budget Planning and School Safety in Recent Meeting

The Linden School Board recently convened to address a range of topics, including the school district’s budgeting process and capital projects, the importance of school safety and improved communication with parents and the community, and the recognition of students, staff, and community members for their contributions to the school district. Emphasizing the need for careful planning in the budget development, Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins provided an overview of the financial considerations and strategies for the upcoming school year. Meanwhile, school safety was brought to the forefront, with board members discussing recent incidents and the imperative for timely communication and increased security measures.

The school budget was a primary focus, with Superintendent Perkins detailing the complexities involved in balancing student needs against financial constraints. She outlined the sources of funding, including local taxes and state aid, and the regulations governing budget caps. The budget, approximately $160 million with real estate taxes contributing around $92 million, requires careful consideration of enrollment trends, staffing needs, and fixed versus soft costs. Discussions touched on the impact of health insurance changes on taxes, the need for roof repairs and replacements, and the importance of transparent budgeting processes. The Board emphasized the transparency of the budgeting process, with plans to provide a comprehensive budget book for review.

School safety and communication also emerged as concerns during the meeting. Board members, including Lymari Cintron and Antoinette Pino, addressed the need for improved communication following a recent incident where a student allegedly brought a ski mask and a knife to school. The board conveyed an urgent commitment to bolstering security measures and stressed the importance of community involvement in addressing safety issues. Former Superintendent Perkins recognized the need for timeliness in informing parents and assured the community that safety and security are prioritized.

In addition to these discussions, the meeting was marked by moments of recognition and appreciation for individuals within the school district. Ms. Leia Carter Blocker, a dedicated Jets fan and school supporter, was honored for her dual representation of the school and the New York Jets, including her appearance in a Ticket Master commercial. The Board also acknowledged the hard work of a staff member at Linden High School for her extensive involvement in school activities, and the crossing guards at School Number Five were commended for their role in ensuring student safety.

The student advisory board member highlighted the success of a new school policy on phone usage, while the superintendent announced plans to introduce elementary students to scholarship opportunities. An “It Takes a Village” presentation recognized outstanding student Michaela Cunningham for her exemplary behavior and a staff member as a role model for the school and community.

The education and personnel reports recommended several motions, including curriculum revisions and professional development opportunities, and the meeting welcomed new hires who expressed their gratitude and commitment to the district. Public comments brought up concerns about communication and safety, with specific incidents at Linden High School prompting discussions on etiquette and the need for timely updates on the Genesis platform for students and parents.

The Board also discussed infrastructure needs, specifically focusing on roof maintenance plans for the next few years. The Finance Committee, along with the Buildings and Grounds and Planning and Policy Committees, presented and approved motions on various items, including policy readings and program approvals.

The session concluded with board member remarks, where members congratulated new hires, acknowledged achievements, and reiterated the importance of safety and communication. Board member Samuel De La Cruz emphasized safety as a top priority, and Dayanara Rosado Quezada stressed the necessity for a “communication Chief” to enhance district messaging.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Superintendent:
Atiya Y. Perkins
School Board Officials:
Marlene Berghammer, Malaysia Thomas, Brianna Armstead, Lymari Cintron, Antoinette Pino, Sasquia Carrillo, Samuel De La Cruz, Dayanara Rosado Quezada, Kimberly Ullisse, Ryan Devaney (District Anti-Bullying Coordinator)

Receive debriefs about local meetings in your inbox weekly:

Trending meetings
across the country:

Meeting Date
Filter by bodytypes
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Airport Advisory Board
Art and Culture Board
Beach Committee
Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Board of Elections
Board of Health
Borough Council
Building Committee
Cannabis Control Board
Cemetery Commission
Charter Revision Commission
Child and Family Services Board
City Council
City Identity Committee
Code Enforcement Board
College Board of Trustees
Community Appearance Board
Community Preservation Committee
Community Redevelopment Agency
County Council
Disability Advisory Committee
Economic Development Board
Elderly Affairs Board
Electric Advisory Board
Environmental Commission
Financial Oversight Board
Historic Preservation Commission
Housing Authority
Human Relations Committee
Human Resources Committee
Insurance Fund
Land Use Board
Library Board
Licensing Board
Mental Health Commission
Municipal Alliance
Open Space Commission
Oversight and Review Committee
Parent Advisory Board
Parking Authority
Parks and Gardens Commission
Parks Commission
Pension Board
Planning Board
Police Review Board
Port Authority
Property Assessment Board
Public Safety Committee
Recreation Commission
Redevelopment Agency
Rent Control Board
Rent Leveling Board
School Board
Sewerage Authority
Shade Tree Commission
Special Magistrate
Taxation & Revenue Advisory Committee
Tourism Board
Trails Committee
Transportation Board
Utility Board
Value Adjustment Board
Veterans Committee
Water Control Board
Women's Advisory Committee
Youth Advisory Committee
Zoning Board
Filter by County
FL
Bay County
Bradford County
Brevard County
Broward County
Clay County
Duval County
Escambia County
Gulf County
Hendry County
Highlands County
Hillsborough County
Indian River County
Lake County
Lee County
Leon County
Levy County
Liberty County
Manatee County
Marion County
Martin County
Miami-Dade County
Monroe County
Okaloosa County
Orange County
Osceola County
Palm Beach County
Pasco County
Pinellas County
Polk County
Putnam County
Santa Rosa County
Sarasota County
Seminole County
St. Johns County
Taylor County
Volusia County
Walton County
MA
Barnstable County
Berkshire County
Bristol County
Essex County
Franklin County
Hampden County
Hampshire County
Middlesex County
Norfolk County
Plymouth County
Suffolk County
Worcester County
MN
Anoka County
Becker County
Beltrami County
Benton County
Blue Earth County
Brown County
Carver County
Cass County
Chippewa County
Chisago County
Clay County
Cook County
Crow Wing County
Dakota County
Freeborn County
Goodhue County
Grant County
Hennepin County
Isanti County
Itasca County
Kanabec County
Kandiyohi County
Koochiching County
Lac Qui Parle County
Lyon County
Mcleod County
Morrison County
Mower County
Nicollet County
Olmsted County
Pipestone County
Polk County
Ramsey County
Rice County
Scott County
Sherburne County
Sibley County
St Louis County
Stearns County
Steele County
Waseca County
Washington County
Wright County
NJ
Atlantic County
Bergen County
Burlington County
Camden County
Cape May County
Cumberland County
Essex County
Gloucester County
Hudson County
Hunterdon County
Mercer County
Middlesex County
Monmouth County
Morris County
Ocean County
Passaic County
Somerset County
Sussex County
Union County
Warren County
NY
Bronx County
Kings County
New York County
Queens County
Richmond County
TN
Shelby County
Filter by sourcetypes
Minutes
Recording