The meeting, held on June 5th, 2023, covered an array of topics. However, the most noteworthy was the announcement of the district’s receipt of a grant totaling $107,262.87. Superintendent Mr. Early lauded this funding boost, saying, “It wasn’t that long ago when the [grant] was in the early thousands, and then we jumped up… with the support of the community.” The grant, he explained, will be used to bolster the district’s programs and resources.

Student achievements were also a focal point of the gathering. Miss Simpson, the student representative, reported that the senior prom was a grand success, while members applauded students’ academic and artistic exploits. The board was particularly impressed with the performance of the senior class, which collectively received over $200,000 in scholarships, much of it from Rutherford-based welfare families. This achievement demonstrated both the caliber of Rutherford’s students and the community’s commitment to their success.

Another significant development was the upcoming board vacancy due to the resignation of a member. The board announced its plans to conduct interviews to fill the position. The appointed board member will run for a one-year seat this November and, if successful, again in November 2024 for a three-year term.

Regarding this process, the Board President said, “Doing interviews in executive sessions seemed like a fair way to protect the integrity of the process.” He added that each board member will ask one question to every candidate and that there would be no deviation from the set list of questions. This procedural clarity aims to ensure fairness and transparency in the selection process.