The board meeting began with a notable acknowledgment of recent losses in the school community, specifically mentioning Chuck Layman, a lifelong resident and former board member, and Diane Sant, a dedicated school secretary. A moment of silence was observed in their memory.

One notable topics discussed was the community’s dissatisfaction with Collingswood High School. During the public comment section, resident Joseph Dell voiced concerns regarding the current relationship with the high school. Dell highlighted that many parents are opting not to send their children to Collingswood High School due to perceived declining educational quality. He proposed the formation of an exploratory committee to investigate other options. This sentiment was echoed by another resident, Adam Sher, who expressed his sadness over the community’s growing dissatisfaction. Sher also raised concerns about the upcoming bond referendum, stressing the potential adverse effects its failure could have on the district and its students. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the children’s needs over political disputes, stating, “a strong school is the bedrock of a community.”

Safety concerns were another significant topic of discussion. Resident Emily Clinky brought attention to pedestrian safety issues on the White Horse Pike. She shared statistics on pedestrian injuries and fatalities and proposed the installation of rectangular rapid flashing beacons at key crosswalks to enhance safety for children. Clinky argued that these beacons could improve driver yielding rates and suggested the employment of crossing guards during peak hours. The board acknowledged the need for further discussion with local authorities and noted that coordination with the state highway department would be necessary due to the road’s state jurisdiction.

The meeting also included a discussion on various administrative matters. The board addressed ongoing construction in front of the school, which includes new crosswalks aimed at improving traffic flow during student drop-off periods. It was noted that the obstructed crosswalk sign on Newton had been cleared, with thanks given to a board member for their persistence in addressing the issue.

The Superintendent provided an enrollment update. Reports on safety drills and suspensions for the previous June were also noted, with no suspensions reported. The Business Administrator presented financial reports for June and July, detailing purchase orders and warrants for bills approved over the summer. The annual approval of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Grant was mentioned, showing a slight increase, and there was discussion around a contract for dual-use educational space, pending County Office approval.

Facility usage requests were also considered, including those from Oakland’s Cougars football, Little League, and OMAC over-30 basketball. A late entry for a soccer club’s facility request led to a debate on whether to allow the club to begin activities before the next meeting or adhere to the paperwork schedule. The consensus leaned towards allowing the club to start while ensuring the completion of the required documentation, with an emphasis on timely submissions in the future.

In the curriculum and personnel section, the board approved student placement for an 11th grader attending the Camden County transition program, financially supported by the district. A contract with the New Jersey Commission for the Blind to provide services for specific students was also approved. The board recognized the need for an emergency virtual instruction plan and proposed English language services for the next three years. A medical leave request for an employee was approved, and the hiring of a new school secretary was discussed, along with permitting a nurse to work limited summer days to prepare for the new school year.

Updates from the Community Relations and Policy Committee included a bond referendum for facilities updates, with the community vote scheduled for September 17. Information sessions related to the referendum were mentioned. The high school marching band program had found a new director after the previous staff member’s resignation. The PTA reported upcoming meetings and social events, while OMAC provided plans for gym nights and noted upcoming facility requests.

The board also discussed agenda item 12.05, involving the first reading of five new regulations: equal employment opportunities, curriculum content, equity in school and classroom practices, bilingual education, and vandalism. A revision to a regulation concerning the honoring of student achievement was also mentioned, with the board deciding to abolish the outdated policy and regulation that no longer applied to the current school structure.