The meeting opened with a detailed presentation on the tiers of support provided by instructional coaches at various levels within the district. Coaches introduced a new math program and a grammar resource called Patterns of Power, aimed at improving student proficiency in these subjects. They highlighted the rollout of hands-on kits for math, as well as a new initiative called “PD on the Run,” a monthly newsletter designed to share professional development resources with teachers. The coaches also shared their experiences in supporting teachers with guided math instruction, co-teaching lessons, and providing resources for parents to help their children at home. Community engagement efforts included organizing parent Mathies and literacy nights to familiarize the community with the new math program. Positive feedback was received from teachers and administrators regarding the impact of the instructional coaches’ support.

The conversation shifted to intervention periods and available resources for teachers to aid struggling students. Collaboration between teachers, reading specialists, and basic skills teachers was emphasized as an important element in addressing student needs. A shift from a push-in to a pull-out model in the basic skills math program was mentioned, with discussions also covering the attendance and effectiveness of lunch and learn sessions. The effectiveness of the coaches was assessed through surveys and evaluations, focusing on building strong relationships with teachers.

The Board discussed the importance of supporting both students and staff, and the need for a problem-solving learning class was brought up. The Communications Committee outlined its strategy, which included scheduling additional podcast recordings, proposing new content, and developing topics for upcoming meetings. A proposal to display a canvas chart at public board meetings sparked debate, and the possibility of involving students in committee meetings and podcast recordings was considered as potentially beneficial to their educational experience.

Collaboration with the local government was another focal point, with discussions reflecting a positive relationship between the school board and the township. The Human Resources Labor Relations Committee covered personnel matters and job description updates, clarifying that some roles were being renamed rather than new positions being added.

The possibility of having two high school liaison representatives attend committee meetings was debated, with suggestions to advertise the commitment to students before they run for these positions. The superintendent’s podcast and the selection of topics for future episodes were also discussed. An update on the ongoing demographer study was provided, with a recommendation for an updated statement or press release on the state of the district.

A recent delegate assembly’s resolution to advocate for mandated kindergarten, despite concerns about it being an unfunded mandate, was passed. In contrast, a resolution to mandate a 2% cap on out-of-district schools for special education students did not pass. The Parsippany Education Foundation’s golf outing and the Parsippany Youth Town Council meeting were also mentioned, with the latter covering topics related to the Township budget and property developments. The PAL board reported on roof damage, fundraising efforts, board member resignations, and an incident where a PAL employee helped save a life during a basketball game.