The evaluation of the Superintendent was a primary focus of the meeting. Dr. Durro, the Superintendent, discussed the statutory basis of the Chief School Administrator evaluation process, emphasizing its importance for both accountability and professional development. The evaluation comprises progress on district goals and adherence to leadership standards. Dr. Durro underscored the need for all board members to participate actively, review criteria diligently, and meet the July 1 deadline for completion. The process involves multiple meetings, including preliminary discussions without the Superintendent to form consensus opinions. The board president typically oversees the compilation of the evaluation document, representing the majority opinion, while minority opinions, though discussed, are not included in the official record.

Board members voiced concerns about the evaluation questions, noting their static nature and limited relevance to board responsibilities. There was a discussion on whether the New Jersey School Boards Association might revise these questions to better reflect the complexities of the Superintendent’s role. Some board members expressed challenges in answering questions related to day-to-day operations and personnel matters, as they lack direct experience in these areas. Despite these concerns, the board emphasized the importance of a fair evaluation, considering the Superintendent’s performance over the entire year.

The meeting also addressed the preliminary budget for the 2025-2026 school year. The budget presentation highlighted a trend of declining enrollment, which has implications for state aid calculations. The district anticipates a net decrease of nine full-time equivalent positions due to this decline. Although salaries are set to increase, the total salary budget will be lower than the previous year due to fewer staff members. The board reassured that these staffing changes would not negatively impact student programs or class sizes.

Transportation costs, a substantial part of the budget, were discussed, with an acknowledgment of challenges in covering a large geographical area. Efforts to consolidate routes have been made to improve efficiency, yet transportation costs are projected to rise by 3.57% due to vendor agreements. The board plans to discontinue some transportation services for the 2024-2025 school year because of inefficiencies, with courtesy notices to be sent to affected students.

Capital projects were a significant topic, with plans to replace the freezer and roof of the Mahwah High School cafeteria. The project, estimated at $1.1 million, will be partially funded by a Rod grant that covers 40% of the cost. Other Rod grant projects, totaling nearly $10 million, include HVAC upgrades and roofing work, with potential state reimbursement of $5.7 million. The district will initially fund these projects through capital reserve withdrawals. Additional summer projects include paving parking lots and replacing an HVAC unit at Joyce Kilmer School, also supported by state reimbursement.

Personnel updates were provided, including the appointment of Mr. Jim O’Hara as the new Director of Guidance and Miss Caroline Krueger as the Supervisor of English Language Arts and Performing Arts. Both were selected through extensive processes, with Mr. O’Hara praised for his leadership and Miss Krueger recognized for her commitment and comprehensive action plan.