At the forefront of the meeting, the STEM department head and students presented their recent accomplishments, which included innovative projects like a virtual reality program to promote children’s fitness, a dragster build, and the design of a light to aid individuals with poor vision in reading menus. The discussion also highlighted the resilience of the STEM programs in bouncing back from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which had temporarily impacted student involvement and project development.

The board then conversed about the annual goals derived from the strategic planning process initiated in 2020. There was a confirmation of the goals and a review of the goal-setting process. The superintendent provided an overview of the long-range goals, which included evaluating the 2425 school calendar, a task that the ad hoc Committee of the board had already accomplished by developing a new calendar. The monitoring of New Jersey’s Quality Single Accountability Continuum (QSAC) process was pending due to fiscal delays, while the board had successfully managed to monitor enrollment projections, ongoing housing updates, and the redistricting plan at the elementary schools.

Negotiations with the teachers, secretaries, maintenance, and custodial groups were also a point of discussion. Tentative agreements were in place for secretaries, while negotiations with maintenance and custodial staff continued. The board had developed the budget within the cap, which received approval from the county office and the Board of Education. The next meeting is set to feature outcomes from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) report.

In terms of curriculum, instruction, and technology goals, the board tackled various aspects such as monitoring the new Middle School bell schedule, evaluating potential new mono offerings, implementing full-day kindergarten, and considering new furniture and space usage to enhance personalized learning. The implementation of personalized learning models was discussed, as well as monitoring the new K through six Math curriculum. The professional development program for teachers and the update of the communications plan, which included making the website ADA compliant, were also reviewed. The establishment of new goals for the next school year was planned, with an aim to revise and modify strategic planning goals and complete committee goals by the June 27th meeting.

The meeting concluded with the approval of education and personnel items, including addressing the number of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) reports at the high school and noting various appointments and resignations. The board emphasized the progress made toward achieving set goals and discussed plans for the establishment of new goals for the upcoming school year. The public portion of the meeting was closed, and the board moved into a closed session to address negotiations, student matters, and specifically HIB-related student matters.