The most pressing topic during the meeting was the public comment period, where parents expressed deep concerns about safety and administrative handling of recent violent incidents. Tara Klein, a parent, spoke about an assault on her daughter, which she described as unprovoked and premeditated. The attack occurred during class, and her daughter sustained a concussion. Klein criticized the school administration for allegedly misapplying federal privacy laws to deny access to video footage of the incident, emphasizing the assault’s emotional and physical toll on her daughter, who has a 504 plan for her disabilities.

Amanda Klein, the student involved, expressed her own frustration over the school’s response. She highlighted a lack of concrete safety measures, despite discussions with counselors. Amanda’s notable question, “Am I going to have to walk past the person who violently attacked me?” underscored her fear of returning to school. Both Tara and Amanda Klein urged the board to take decisive action to protect students, voicing dissatisfaction with the current safety assurances provided by the administration.

Additional speakers echoed the Kleins’ concerns. A student named Samantha Klei and her mother, Diane Klei, shared similar experiences of bullying and violence. Samantha described the anxiety and mental health impact, while Diane criticized the lack of repercussions for the attackers. She questioned how students could focus on their education while constantly fearing for their safety. Diane’s remarks highlighted the broader issue of maintaining a secure environment conducive to learning.

The board acknowledged the testimonies and assured the concerned families that their issues would be addressed. Members emphasized the importance of the students’ courage in speaking out and the need for follow-up actions. The discussion then shifted to broader safety concerns, including traffic management during school drop-off and pick-up times. A board member suggested involving law enforcement to address the chaotic traffic situation, noting variable conditions influenced by weather and parental timing.

In addition to safety concerns, the board discussed implementing a parking proposal for high school juniors. The plan proposed allowing a select number of juniors to park on campus, contingent on the number of senior applicants. A lottery system was suggested, with an initial 30 spots available, followed by additional lotteries to accommodate up to 60 juniors. Criteria for participation included a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance. The parking fee was set at $15, with a reduced rate for those receiving permits after the first semester.

Board members raised questions about incorporating academic or extracurricular criteria into the parking permit lottery. Concerns about scheduling conflicts for student-athletes, particularly junior swimmers, were also noted, as their practice times made it challenging to arrive at school on time.

The meeting also touched on the district’s financial health, noting the acceptance of the annual audit with no findings. Capital reserves were reported at over $13 million, with a healthy fund balance for the food service program, albeit slightly over the allowable amount, necessitating reinvestment.

There was also a discussion about soliciting bids for a lease purchase of a synthetic turf field, planned for the 2026 budget. The board highlighted ongoing charity efforts, raising over $122,500 for the New Jersey Employee Charitable Campaign through payroll deductions.