The meeting featured an important presentation on the district’s annual audit by Eric Zimmerman from Supply Cloning Company, who reported a “clean opinion” on the financial statements. The audit revealed issues with accounting controls related to grant expenditures, prompting discussions on implementing corrective measures. A specific focus was placed on Fund 20, which had expenditures initially expected to be reimbursable but had to be shifted to the general fund due to the expiration of the grant period. The board discussed the necessity of monthly drawdowns aligned with grant expenditures to prevent future shortfalls. The conversation highlighted the complexities of financial management within the school district, emphasizing the importance of accurate tracking and reporting of grant funds.

The board recognized the need for improvements in financial oversight, especially regarding federal programs funded by IDEA and ESSA, which operate on different fiscal timelines. The audit process underscored the challenges in reconciling expenditures across varying fiscal periods, leading to certain expenditures being overlooked. The district has implemented a corrective action plan to improve accounting controls and ensure precise tracking of grant expenditures, with separate program coding in the financial system being a critical measure.

In addition to financial matters, the board discussed the introduction of an Emotional Regulation Impairment (ERI) program at Orchard Elementary School, set to launch in January. This initiative addresses the increasing emotional regulation issues among students, beginning with two kindergarten students and one first grader. The program will operate similarly to a self-contained classroom, with plans for gradual integration into general education settings. A teacher from the existing staff has been trained in social-emotional learning to lead the program and educate the broader school community on emotional regulation principles. The district plans to expand this program to other schools in the coming years.

The board also addressed policy revisions related to drug testing prior to hiring, with new policies (3160 and 4160) emphasizing collaboration between the superintendent and administration in handling cases of suspected influence among staff members. The potential shift to the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) for policy development was discussed, with a focus on enhancing policies that benefit parents, teachers, and students. The board considered NJSBA’s policy tracking system as a tool to improve documentation processes for board sessions.

Communication efforts within the district were another focal point, with plans to publish a newsletter three times a year as part of the strategic plan. The newsletter will include information and photos from all five schools. A new website provider, Final Site, was announced, expected to offer a more user-friendly experience for the district’s website. A communication survey was circulated to gather community feedback on the effectiveness of district communication, particularly regarding the new athletics and arts section of the website.

During public comments, student Lisa Maranella advocated for incorporating breaks into the high school schedule, arguing that 82-minute class blocks are too lengthy without interruptions. She emphasized the cognitive benefits of short breaks, referencing studies that support her position. Another resident, Michelle Ding, called for the board to address harassment and cyberbullying targeting board members, urging them to model respectful behavior and ensure a safe environment for all.