One of the meeting’s highlights was the recognition of two exemplary high school students, Man Beer and Colin Tor. Man Beer was lauded for her leadership as the New Jersey high school president and her contributions to honors English class discussions. Her commitment to service projects and positive demeanor was praised by staff, who noted her embodiment of character, scholarship, leadership, and service. Colin Tor was similarly commended for his respectful and hardworking nature. As a three-sport varsity athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, Colin was recognized for his leadership both on and off the field. Staff described him as genuinely kind and a positive role model for peers, emphasizing his ability to assess situations and take initiative.

Following the student recognitions, the board delved into a presentation on testing results, particularly the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA). The director of student data research and evaluation presented an analysis of the district’s performance, highlighting a notable increase in proficiency levels across subjects. In mathematics, there was a districtwide 8% increase in students achieving a score of four or higher, while science saw a decrease in students scoring at lower proficiency levels, particularly in grade 11. The district’s eighth-grade science growth was reported at 88.6%, starkly contrasting with the state’s average increase of 0.2%.

The presentation also touched on subgroup performance. There was a 7.8% increase in high school girls scoring at the highest proficiency level, and economically disadvantaged students in grade nine saw a significant boost of 28.5% in levels four and five. The district attributed these successes to increased instructional time for math, enhanced professional development, and strategic curriculum alignment with state standards.

The meeting addressed broader educational strategies, including the implementation of a basic skills program at the high school and updates to master schedules. The class of 2025 was highlighted for outperforming state averages in both English Language Arts (ELA) and math, with special education and Hispanic students showing remarkable progress. The district’s NJ Graduation Proficiency Assessment (NJ GPA) data revealed that 93.2% of students were graduation-ready in ELA, while math readiness was at 69.6%, both surpassing state averages.

In addition to academic achievements, the board discussed infrastructure projects, including the approval of a flood hazard permit and contractor selection for synthetic turf installation. Renovations at Coolidge School and Washington School were progressing, with newly renovated classrooms and an elevator installation underway. The completion of roofing projects was also reported, with plans for future work involving solar panel removal and HVAC upgrades.

The meeting concluded with discussions on educational curriculum items and professional development initiatives, such as training in Orton-Gillingham methodologies for reading instruction. The board also addressed a cooperative agreement for girls’ lacrosse, allowing students to participate with another school due to insufficient numbers for a standalone team.