The bond referendum emerged as an achievement for the Readington School Board, receiving community support with over 8,000 votes cast and a two-to-one approval ratio. The superintendent expressed gratitude towards various stakeholders, including board members, parents, and local businesses, for their collaborative efforts in the campaign. The referendum’s approval paves the way for meetings with bond counsel and architects to plan summer projects, with a promise of transparency and regular community updates. The board considered transforming the referendum website into a platform for ongoing project updates.

The meeting also spotlighted student involvement in the board’s activities for the first time. Mr. Daly, alongside students Isan, Ari, and Jimmy, introduced the initiative to include a student representative on the board. This effort is part of an expanded civics program aimed at enhancing student engagement in governance. The students shared their motivations for joining the initiative, with Isan focused on leadership development, Ari emphasizing student representation, and Jimmy aiming to foster connections with the board.

The students updated the board on fall sports achievements, notably the boys’ cross country team’s undefeated conference play and eighth-grader Luca Sams’ first-place finish at the meet of champions. They also detailed civics program activities, including hosting 17 guest speakers and organizing a mock election for younger students. Mr. Daly highlighted the importance of exposing students to diverse political perspectives and proposed quarterly updates from the student representatives, a suggestion met with board approval.

Further, the meeting recognized student Satie’s outstanding achievement on the MLB Network as the MLB Playball 20 July 2025 Player of the Month, a rare honor for young softball players. Satie was commended for her performance and encouraged to continue her efforts, inspired by a motivational quote from Babe Ruth.

Public comments reflected both support and concerns regarding the board’s initiatives. Melissa Biola, a resident and teacher, praised the board for the referendum’s success, while Jessica Gallagher, despite congratulating the board, voiced concerns about fiscal responsibility and transparency. She advised caution in future implementations and emphasized the importance of accountability.

Additionally, the meeting addressed a shared services agreement with Branchburg concerning transportation services, involving a $10,000 stipend for a Readington employee. The board also discussed administrative reports, personnel updates, and policy revisions, particularly concerning health concerns and student safety.

A notable segment of the meeting was dedicated to exploring the role of artificial intelligence in education. A board member shared insights from a session on equity in AI usage, introducing a “stoplight policy” to guide appropriate AI applications in classrooms.

Strategic planning was on the agenda, with the board anticipating vendor proposals and planning to initiate the process by February. The board expressed commitment to informing the community about the planning stages.

In closing, public comments raised concerns about the board’s policies, particularly regarding issues in education. Jessica Gallico highlighted the challenges teachers face without clear guidelines and expressed skepticism about AI’s role in strategic planning. The board reassured that policy reviews are ongoing to align with community values and support educators.