0:29The board reviewed the technology budget, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity and the ongoing success of the Chromebook initiative, which now spans twelve grades. The district has made significant technological strides, including a 10-gigabit backbone connecting all buildings. However, the costs associated with subscriptions and incident management software are set to increase, partly due to the addition of an events module. A proposed switch from classroom management programs like GoGuardian and Gaggle to the new service Linewize is expected to save approximately $10,700 annually. Still, concerns were voiced about potential functionality loss, prompting requests for an evaluation to ensure essential tools remain accessible.

Rising leasing costs for Chromebooks, now $465 per device, prompted questions about their necessity for high school students. The board also discussed potential financial relief from the EATE program. The Microsoft volume licensing costs were another point of discussion, showing a 22% increase due to contract renegotiations and additional licenses needed for temporary staff positions. The district’s current licensing includes free upgrades and access to various software, which some board members questioned in terms of value, considering the district also uses Google Workspace for Education.

24:17Athletic program funding was another significant topic, with the board reviewing a 3.8% increase in the budget to support 21 varsity sports and 12 middle school sports. This budget covers salaries, supplies, transportation, and miscellaneous needs. The increase is attributed to fluctuating uniform and equipment costs, with potential vendor discounts. Rising costs for basic supplies, such as medical supplies and officials’ fees, were noted. The board explored the possibility of reducing the number of middle school sporting events to meet the budget cap, emphasizing the importance of the educational and social aspects of sports over competition.

54:06Construction projects across the district also featured prominently in the meeting. The completion of building projects is slated for November, with the full-day kindergarten implementation remaining on track for the 2025-2026 school year. However, grade realignment plans will be postponed until the 2026-2027 school year due to time constraints. Construction challenges, such as HVAC equipment issues and drainage problems, were discussed, with some progress reported and an ongoing effort to resolve remaining concerns.

The curriculum committee presented its budget for the 2025-2026 school year, focusing on curriculum writing, professional development, and systems management. The district plans to apply for a waiver to better support its multilingual learners, with a growing number of Spanish-speaking students and an emerging population of Indonesian speakers. The committee also highlighted the addition of a novel addressing autism to the sixth-grade language arts program and ongoing initiatives such as high-impact tutoring and the environmental club’s Tree Ambassadors program.

Policy updates were another area of focus, with changes related to student graduation, smoking, and electronic communications discussed. The board prioritized policies with direct student impact, including cooperation with law enforcement and spectator conduct at school events. A new state law now requires all graduating seniors and their families to complete the FAFSA or a New Jersey aid form, with provisions for a waiver if necessary.

In the extracurricular segment, the athletic budget included a proposal for a third coach for the growing girls’ wrestling program, though flag football will not be included next year due to low participation. Winter sports successes were celebrated, with plans to recognize these achievements in March. Safety and conduct during middle school games were also discussed.