The meeting began with Superintendent George P. Alexis welcoming several new staff members, including Miranda Damr as the new district counselor and Hannah Scaner-Roli as a special education preschool teacher. Additional new hires included Emily Marino, Regina McKenna-Nabeli, and McKenzie Oliver, who will serve as a leave replacement counselor. New paraprofessionals such as Carrie Drenan, Laura Russell, Vanessa Ayu, and Jessica Bole were also recognized, with an emphasis on community involvement in filling these roles.

The most detailed and discussed topic was the summer construction projects presented by Mr. Manderi. He highlighted significant improvements across the district, including exterior painting and renovations at Central School. These renovations encompassed updates to the gym and the creation of a new STEAM room, which would soon be equipped with new furniture. Kitchen upgrades were designed to meet National School Lunch Program standards, and the Millington Library was transformed into a more flexible space for student use. Additionally, new flooring was installed in classrooms, and ventilators were replaced at Millington to improve air circulation.

Safety upgrades were also a focal point, with the replacement of fire panels across all buildings to modernize fire safety systems. Board members inquired about the longevity and maintenance of the new installations, and Manderi explained that the treatment of the exterior surfaces would help prevent mold and mildew, although the lifespan would depend on environmental factors.

Transportation improvements were another area of discussion, with a parent’s email expressing gratitude for the enhanced transportation services this year. The board attributed the success to collective efforts from the board and staff, acknowledging the hard work that went into ensuring a smooth transition.

In the finance committee’s report, a budget of $4,500 was mentioned, though specifics were not detailed. Goals were set to explore additional revenue sources and to assess the implementation of the school lunch program, which reported a 30% enrollment of the student population as of September 3rd. Ongoing interviews for a national school lunch program position were noted, with four out of five positions filled. The report also detailed that 79 students qualified for free and reduced lunch, representing 99.2% of the student population, which raised the necessity to offer a breakfast program once the 10% threshold was reached. The lunch program noted that students could purchase additional food items, such as extra slices of pizza and chicken nuggets, at additional costs.

The technology committee reported on the successful launch of a new website, noting positive comments despite minor glitches. The installation of 60 new computers in Gillette and Central Middle School was highlighted, with a significant effort to replace old machines ahead of Microsoft’s 2025 deadline. The tech team also deployed 100 new iPads in Gillette School and introduced a student usage agreement for Chromebooks, which reportedly reduced device damage. Plans for online payments were discussed, with the district aiming to accept credit card payments in the future.

Concerns about bus stop locations were raised, with participants expressing dissatisfaction. Budget constraints were cited as a barrier to providing personal drivers for door-to-door service. Frank Romano from Morris County educational services suggested minor adjustments but emphasized that the current arrangement was the best possible given the circumstances. The district had allocated about $55,000 for subscription busing revenue and anticipated receiving approximately $62,000. Each bus route was noted to cost around $50,000, and with buses at full capacity, additional subscription busing requests could not be accommodated without compromising safety.

A proposal for direct install agreements with utility companies was introduced, which could lead to significant cost savings. The utility companies would cover a substantial portion of necessary repairs, while the district would finance the remainder interest-free from capital reserves. This would improve energy efficiency across roofing, cooling, and heating systems.

The board also addressed the importance of improving student attendance, recognizing September as Attendance Awareness Month. A proclamation was read aloud, outlining the need for enhanced attendance rates and community involvement. Goals included engaging students and families, identifying barriers to attendance, and promoting consistent attendance through effective communication.