During the meeting, a moment of silence was held in honor of John D. Degnan, whose legacy as a teacher and principal at Harmony School left a lasting impact on the community. The board expressed condolences to Degnan’s family, acknowledging his dedication and influence on generations of students and colleagues.

Following this tribute, the meeting shifted focus to the vibrant activities and achievements within Middletown schools. Paige Payton, a junior from Middletown High School North, shared exciting news about the school’s music program. Students are preparing for a performance trip to Disney World, where they will participate in a music education workshop at Epcot Center. Payton highlighted the recent success of the Winter concert, which featured a range of choir and band pieces, and discussed ongoing fundraising efforts to support student activities and scholarships. The school is set to host the New Jersey Allshore Honors Choir event in February, and several students are slated to perform at notable venues such as the New Jersey State Music Educators Convention and the NJPAC.

Sophia Casone, a senior from Middletown High School South, provided updates on academic and extracurricular accomplishments. She reported on the induction ceremony of the World Language Honor Society, recognizing 155 students for their linguistic achievements. Casone also highlighted a student recognition ceremony celebrating academic and athletic successes and mentioned the upcoming spring musical “Footloose,” with auditions already underway. The Rethink Art and Literature Club’s Bob Ross painting event was noted as a creative endeavor for students before exams.

Casone also emphasized community engagement initiatives, including a fundraiser by the Spectrum GSA, a holiday door decorating contest by the Diversity Club, and a clothing drive that collected items for unhoused individuals. Athletic updates included the formation of the Middletown Unified Cheer program and the competitive progress of the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, with standout performances from Senior Brady H. and recent victories under Coach Tom Brennan.

The board discussed the “Freshman for a Day” program, scheduled to begin in February, allowing incoming students to shadow ninth graders and experience high school classes. The senior council is gearing up for a summer-themed prom, with a Chipotle fundraiser planned to support the event. Additionally, students from a Holocaust and Genocide course conducted a successful hurricane relief drive for North Carolina.

Committee reports provided insights into ongoing district initiatives. Discussions from the instruction committee emphasized parent engagement efforts through the Parent University series and enhancements to educational approaches, including a revamp of the K-5 math program. The Student Services committee introduced Mrs. Granger, the new director of special education, and outlined goals for program development, including Crisis Prevention training and improvements to the co-teaching model.

The finance committee shared preliminary discussions on the 2025-2026 budget, with plans for further refinement in upcoming meetings. Public comments on agenda items were invited, though no attendees came forward to speak.

Superintendent Jessica Alfone highlighted a kindness challenge event organized by the student council and guidance department, promoting acts of kindness among students. She also welcomed Mr. Matthew Ra as the new secondary supervisor of special education and discussed opportunities for parents to access their children’s progress reports. Adjustments to the school calendar were proposed due to changes in primary election day, providing students with a full day on June 3 and a day off on June 10.

The board approved various agenda items, including personnel recommendations, with some members expressing differing opinions during roll call votes. The meeting concluded with a proclamation recognizing New Jersey School Board Recognition Month, encouraging community involvement in local school boards, and emphasizing the importance of continued support for student programs through upcoming PTA events.