Mountainside School Board Unveils New Website and Discusses Strategic and Facility Plans
- Meeting Overview:
The recent Mountainside School Board meeting revealed developments, including the launch of a new district website designed to improve community engagement and accessibility, alongside discussions on strategic goals and facility management. The board also addressed the district’s upcoming initiatives aimed at enhancing student support and fostering community partnerships.
One item at the meeting was the unveiling of the district’s new website, which has gone live for public exploration. The board encouraged feedback from attendees to identify and rectify any issues such as broken links. The website, reportedly 99% complete, was praised for its user-friendly design, developed with the contributions of Kelly and Tam. Enhancements include a prominent registration section, a translation button for language accessibility, and a dedicated parent resources header. The site aims to streamline navigation for curriculum materials, calendar events, and important district information.
In a related development, the board introduced Mike Rainy, the new Facilities Supervisor for Buildings and Grounds. Rainy expressed gratitude to the board and acknowledged his predecessor, Wayne Deo, for his assistance during the transition. Rainy, who has a degree in educational facilities management from Rutgers, outlined his department’s mission to maintain safe, clean, and efficient environments conducive to student learning and staff productivity. He detailed the focus of the summer projects as ensuring a secure environment rather than undertaking extraordinary projects.
Superintendent Janet Walling presented an assessment of the district’s Multi-Language Learners (MLS) program. Plans for the 2025-26 school year include remediation services, push-in support in general education classrooms, online resources for fluency, and parental outreach to bolster home support.
The strategic plan for 2024 through 2029 was also a central topic. The plan emphasizes community involvement and the development of a mentoring program. Key initiatives include conducting a parent-student culture survey, enhancing partnerships with local organizations, and coordinating with seniors for mentorship opportunities. The board aims to advertise mentorships through various media channels and provide parents with FAQs regarding technology use. An implementation plan for artificial intelligence in educational settings was highlighted as a priority.
A long-range facility plan was discussed, with a facility study currently in progress to inform future usage policies. The board underlined the importance of this study in guiding policy decisions that will shape the district’s infrastructure development in the coming years.
The meeting also addressed administrative and budgetary matters, with motions passed to approve various items without questions or comments. Personnel matters were similarly approved, including discussions on attendance policies and a proposed shift to standards-based report cards for fifth grade. The board’s personnel and curriculum committee is considering this change and has established a structured plan for revising the curriculum over a five-year cycle, aligned with statutory requirements.
Janet Walling
School Board Officials:
Vivian Pupo, Dana Guidicipietro, Bill Dillon, Jordan Hyman, Michael Goodwin, Candice Schiano, Carmine Venes
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Meeting Type:
School Board
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Committee:
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Meeting Date:
08/19/2025
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Recording Published:
08/19/2025
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Duration:
82 Minutes
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Notability Score:
Routine
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State:
New Jersey
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County:
Union County
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Towns:
Mountainside
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