A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the presentation of the School-to-Work program, which aims to equip students with essential vocational skills and real-world experience. Students involved in the initiative shared their experiences, highlighting the program’s focus on career exploration, soft skills development, and community engagement. The program facilitates internships and job opportunities both within the school environment and through partnerships with local organizations, such as the Princeton Food Pantry and the YMCA.

The assistant superintendent for student services emphasized the program’s collaborative nature, involving students, families, educators, and job coaches. The initiative is structured to support students transitioning from high school to adulthood by aligning their interests with potential career paths. Students are encouraged to build confidence through public speaking and networking, with a strong focus on employability skills identified as crucial by employers.

Students Richard and Ryan Craig provided personal testimonials on how the program has transformed their approach to responsibility, time management, and communication. Richard, who initially struggled with school engagement, attributed his newfound work ethic and leadership skills to the program’s influence. Ryan highlighted his improved communication skills and respect for teamwork, gained through his roles at local job sites.

Towards the end of the presentation, the board extended an invitation to the community for support and collaboration with the School-to-Work program, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive network for student career development.

In addition to the School-to-Work program, the meeting covered an in-depth analysis of the district’s educational performance. Dr. Kim, the assistant of curriculum and instruction, presented a report on the district’s testing results. The Princeton High School’s AP exam performance was a highlight, with an impressive 94% of students scoring three or higher. The district also noted an increase in SAT and ACT scores, surpassing state and national averages.

The report addressed the transition from NJSLA standardized testing to a new assessment system, acknowledging the challenges of establishing a new baseline for student performance metrics. Dr. Kim underscored the importance of continuous improvement and the need for increased accessibility to AP courses for all students.

Science and ELA performance were also discussed, with a noted improvement in the district’s science proficiency scores. However, the board acknowledged discrepancies in performance across different schools and emphasized the necessity of aligning educational programming to close opportunity gaps.

The board also addressed curriculum changes in response to state requirements. The new curriculum prioritizes analytical skills, close reading, and vocabulary development. The meeting noted the importance of professional development for teachers to support these curriculum changes and ensure consistent instructional quality.

In the public comment section, community members voiced concerns about language immersion programs and cell phone policies. One speaker called for increased support for Spanish language acquisition, while another advocated for stricter cell phone usage policies to safeguard student well-being.

The meeting concluded with updates from various board committees, including discussions on referendum projects, sustainability initiatives, and personnel changes. The board also accepted a generous donation to support extracurricular programs.