Central to the meeting’s agenda was the district’s budget for the 2025 school year. The school business administrator’s presentation underscored the necessity of finding new funding sources due to the expiration of substantial grant funding, which had been used during the pandemic. The budget discussion revealed that state aid reductions were forcing the board to consider staff cuts in various departments, including English, math, media specialists, and secretarial staff.

Further complicating the district’s financial outlook was the end of grant funding for high-impact tutoring, a valuable after-school support program for students. While the board assured that the program would continue under the operating budget, it would no longer be known as high-impact tutoring due to the cessation of the specific grant.

The potential sale of school buildings and land was discussed as a means to address funding shortfalls. However, the board expressed caution, emphasizing the need for sustainable financial planning over the long term and avoiding reliance on one-time revenue sources that do not support recurring expenses like salaries.

Public comments brought forward concerns from community members, educators, and students, with the decision to replace the librarian position at Wanasa Elementary with an educational technology specialist sparking debate. Speakers underscored the important role of certified librarians in nurturing students’ love for reading and promoting literacy. The impact of losing a librarian on student achievement was a focal point, with one speaker, a junior from Ocean Township High School, sharing a personal testimony about the positive influence of the Wanasa Elementary librarian. While the board acknowledged these concerns, they detailed their strategy to partner an elementary certified teacher with a district library media specialist to deliver lessons on information literacy and digital citizenship.

A national board-certified School library media specialist was among the public commentators who expressed disappointment over the board’s decision not to replace a retired certified librarian. The importance of maintaining the Spartan Legacy of certified librarians was highlighted, with speakers advocating for a balance between technology and traditional library services. They pointed to studies that demonstrate the benefits of reading and the role of librarians in fostering empathy and providing diverse educational resources.

The public’s comments also scrutinized the broader staffing decisions, questioning the proportion of administrators and supervisors being let go compared to teachers and staff. They suggested that decreased enrollment and funds should result in fewer supervisors and administrators. An individual voiced concerns over the elimination of the library media specialist position and the implications for the operation of the library.

During the workshop portion of the meeting, the board discussed the “Poem in Your Pocket” event, an initiative aimed at fostering community engagement and encouraging literary appreciation among students. Concerns were raised about the absence of dedicated library time for preschoolers and the school’s COVID policies. Test scores and staff layoffs were also points of contention, with one community member praising improved test scores at a school and opposing the proposed staff reductions.

Other routine business included the discussion of the USDA’s EBT program, which would provide families with $120 per child for groceries over the summer, and the upcoming superintendent evaluation process. Action items related to personnel, financial management, and instructional activities were approved as part of the standard proceedings.