A concern addressed during the meeting was the heating system at the high school. As of October 15, the high school boilers remained non-operational. The estimated cost to address the heating issue stood at $43,385. This expenditure was associated with equipment that had been in storage for five years, originally purchased before the current administration took office. Despite these hurdles, the equipment was finally installed. Board members expressed frustration over the outdated system, which often requires frequent repairs likened to maintaining an old car. A resolution was proposed to draw from the maintenance reserve in November to cover these expenses without affecting the local budget.

Transitioning from infrastructure to academics, the board reviewed a analysis of student performance data from the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA). New Milford’s students consistently outperformed state averages in English Language Arts (ELA), with notable improvements in several grades. For instance, seventh graders exhibited a 5.8% increase in proficiency, surpassing state performance by 2.7%. In mathematics, fifth graders demonstrated a 9.6% improvement, while seventh graders achieved a 7.2% rise, outperforming the state by 5.9%. Particularly impressive were the perfect scores attained by students at both the elementary and middle school levels, including two eighth graders who achieved perfect scores in both language arts and math.

The board also explored initiatives to address the observed decline in proficiency from grade five to grade six, emphasizing the need for continuous evaluation of instructional practices. Discussions revolved around the importance of early exposure to Algebra 1, with plans to increase the number of eighth graders taking the course to better prepare them for high school mathematics.

The meeting also touched on the district’s bullying prevention measures and school safety protocols. The superintendent presented the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) report, which detailed incidents reported across schools, along with self-assessment scores under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. While some schools scored near perfect, challenges such as training substitutes in HIB policies were noted as areas needing improvement.

Safety concerns extended into discussions about the impact of upcoming elections on the school calendar. The board debated whether to hold classes during election days, ultimately deciding to designate a day off in June for voting, reallocating an emergency day to prioritize student safety. The logistical challenges of moving polling locations out of schools were acknowledged, with the superintendent indicating that such changes would be complex and unlikely to occur quickly.

To further enhance student engagement and integration, plans were discussed to expand the Unified Sports program, which facilitates athletic activities for students with varying abilities. Despite funding cuts, the superintendent emphasized the program’s positive impact, describing it as a valuable addition to the district’s offerings.

In addition to these topics, updates on academic initiatives and policy changes were shared. The curriculum committee highlighted college readiness programs for seniors, which offer Advanced Placement classes and dual enrollment options to help families reduce educational costs. A proposed policy change regarding student sunscreen use was discussed.