The proposal involved Mr. Uno’s family offering a sizable donation to the sports department in exchange for the dedication. However, some board members emphasized the necessity of a review of the district’s policies to manage naming rights consistently and transparently. There was a consensus that the dedication should be tabled until the policy could be refined, allowing for a more thorough and fair process in future cases. The motion to authorize the superintendent to continue discussions regarding the dedication, with a specific resolution to be drafted in the future, passed unanimously.

In addition to the naming rights discussion, Superintendent Joseph A. DeCorso reported on several initiatives aimed at supporting the community and enhancing student experiences. A joint food drive organized by the Board of Education and the Lyndhurst Township Commissioners successfully distributed packaged non-perishable meals to families in need, with any unclaimed food sent to the Lyndhurst Town Rec Center for further distribution. This initiative exemplified community collaboration and was communicated widely throughout the district.

Superintendent DeCorso also highlighted the district’s participation in the first-ever NJSLA adaptive test field test, which involved all New Jersey school districts. He thanked students and staff for their involvement, noting that the results would assist in preparing for the upcoming spring assessment. Another noteworthy educational initiative was the partnership with the 9/11 mobile museum, which provided educational experiences to over 1,200 students, ensuring the memory of September 11, 2001, remains vivid and educational.

Further enriching the educational environment, the district completed furniture upgrades for kindergarten and second-grade classrooms, along with an industrial arts lab and new science stools for the high school. This ongoing renovation effort aims to update classroom furniture systematically, with plans to continue selecting specific grade levels and high school classrooms for further updates in the coming years. The details of these improvements are set to be included in the upcoming spring newsletter.

The meeting also featured updates from the student representative Nicholas Brennan, who provided insights into student-led initiatives and events. The National Honor Society induction ceremony at Lynhurst High School is set for November 25th, highlighted by a performance from the High School Corral. The guidance department has been active, assisting seniors with college applications and hosting college fairs. An “instant acceptance day” allowed students to receive immediate feedback from college ambassadors. Additionally, the fall sports season concluded, with the football team ending its season on November 1st, and both the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams achieving notable successes in state competitions.

The board also celebrated individual achievements, congratulating Mrs. Bernardo for receiving an award as the transformative leader of the year from Seven Mindsets.