07:01The board meeting prominently featured discussions about the ongoing integration of the Conquer Math professional development program. This initiative aims to improve math instruction across all grades by equipping teachers with hands-on experience and innovative teaching strategies. Currently, approximately 40 teachers participate in workshops led by consultant Nancy Schultz, which are designed to align with New Jersey’s student learning standards. These workshops focus on a range of mathematical domains, including fractions, geometry, and data literacy. Teachers have responded positively, noting that the materials provided are highly useful, and many have already begun incorporating the new strategies into their classrooms. One educator described the workshops as transformative, stating they “changed me as a math teacher and gave me so much more confidence to teach and explore with the students.”

These professional development sessions are structured to cater to specific grade levels and include a collaborative approach to ensure representation from each level, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing within the school community. The program is particularly focused on supporting high school math teachers, with workshops organized around academic courses rather than grade levels. This approach has been praised for enhancing teacher collaboration and boosting confidence in teaching math, a subject often regarded as challenging.

45:58To further aid educators, the board is working on creating guidance documents that will support teachers in implementing these new teaching methods. These documents are intended to serve as comprehensive resources for both new and seasoned teachers, providing clear instructions on how to effectively teach specific math concepts. The board sees these resources as crucial, especially for new educators or those covering leave replacements, to ensure they have immediate access to the necessary tools and strategies.

18:55The board also discussed the need to update curriculum guides by September to reflect the new state standards set for 2023. This involves evaluating the pacing and scope of the current math curriculum to ensure it aligns with the revised standards. Additionally, there was talk of implementing universal screeners for students in kindergarten through second grade to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their mathematical abilities. This initiative seeks to extend beyond the existing I Ready benchmarking system and provide deeper insights into student performance.

Data-driven instruction emerged as a critical theme throughout the meeting. Participants highlighted the importance of using assessment data to inform teaching practices and improve educational outcomes. Discussions included the potential for common assessments across courses to serve as benchmarks and track student growth over time. There was also interest in exploring diagnostic tools similar to those used in lower grades for high school students, to better assess and address their learning needs.

51:55In addition to the focus on math education, the board addressed administrative matters, such as meal pricing for the 2025-2026 school year. The proposed increase was adjusted to a uniform 15 cents per meal across all schools. Property matters were also on the agenda, including the potential purchase of a diner property for $2.7 million.

By fostering collaboration among teachers and utilizing data-driven strategies, the board aims to elevate the quality of math education and ensure that students are equipped with the necessary skills for success.