The meeting opened with the superintendent reporting on various achievements, including track records and recognition for the OTS Team B program. The significance of the upcoming graduation ceremony was underscored, with preparations for hot weather and medical support being made. The retiring staff members, whose service totaled 400 years, were honored for their dedication to the district.

One part of the meeting involved the deliberation over a tax levy increase, where board members examined the implications of accepting additional funds. A detailed financial analysis projected an increase in available funds for the district over the next five years, with the superintendent and the county superintendent recommending consideration of the full amount of funding.

During the public comment session, no comments were made on agenda items, but the floor was opened to community members during another portion of the meeting. Several individuals addressed the board, focusing on the importance of a full-time certified librarian at Wanasa Elementary School and other district schools. The role of librarians in student learning and academic achievement was emphasized, with community members advocating for the preservation of these positions. Claire Styal, president of the Friends of the Ocean Township Library, discussed the organization’s impact and the potential loss of a certified librarian position.

Additionally, the board discussed items not funded in the budget, such as adding an ESL teacher, reading intervention programs, professional development, and infrastructure improvements like door locks, paving, and bus GPS systems. The need to replace boilers and bleachers was also addressed. The conversation revolved around the allocation of additional funds for the ESL program and other areas, with some members voicing support for making these long-term investments in the district’s growth.

Other agenda items included the approval of contracted 10-month secretaries and the third and final reading of a revised regulation concerning reporting student progress. The school business administrator reported on ongoing projects, including roofing and financial matters related to the end of the fiscal year.

The finance segment offered a positive note with no increase in the pricing for the student lunch program. The board also reviewed bids for electrical upgrades for field lighting, part of a larger project with significant costs. In the instruction segment, new course offerings were discussed, including a cyber security-focused class, as part of the expansion of the Spartan School of Technology. Professional development for high school teachers was also a topic of conversation.