The Saddle Brook School District received the Golden Achievement Award from the New Jersey School Public Relations Association. This accolade was attributed to the district’s collaboration with Lord Bishop Communications. The award celebrates excellence in communication and public relations within the school community.

The board meeting also delved into the revised student conduct policies that address vaping and drug-related offenses more strictly at the high school level. New measures include a three-day suspension for a first offense involving a vaping device, with up to ten days for a positive drug test. Offenders are also referred for medical examination and guidance assistance. Misconduct during state or district testing now results in Friday detention for a first offense, escalating to longer suspensions for subsequent offenses. These changes aim to curb drug use and maintain a disciplined school environment.

State testing procedures were another focal point, following a recent investigation at the middle and high schools. A corrective action plan was put in place to address testing irregularities and security breaches. The plan emphasizes staff training on proper procedures for reporting issues and aims to enhance communication and timely reporting. This plan was implemented immediately after the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment testing.

The board discussed the approval of district goals and the Professional Development Plan (PDP). The Quality Assurance Committee revealed a score of 79% in instruction and program, just below the 80% threshold for full achievement. Consequently, a district improvement plan with three primary goals was developed: improving attendance through a tiered intervention system, elevating academic achievement via monthly data analysis, and optimizing safety protocols. A meeting with the Office of Homeland Security is planned to discuss security strategies and a reunification plan.

New security measures were introduced, including the installation of cameras in all school buildings and the use of Google Sites for easy access to school handbooks and codes of conduct. The board is set to approve a new code of conduct for grades K-6, developed with feedback from staff and families. The middle and high school code of conduct includes stricter guidelines for behavior during testing periods.

The board recognized students who received national accolades from the College Board, including Dianna Joose, Claudia Pat, and Alex Tona. These students will be invited to the next board meeting to acknowledge their achievements. Additionally, preparations for the Washington Centennial celebration on October 10 were discussed, which will feature historical presentations, a time capsule, music from the middle and high school band, and light refreshments.

Facilities updates were shared, highlighting ongoing renovations, including work on the turf field and lights, pending final approval. Renovations at Coolidge School and Washington School were noted, with the addition of new classrooms and improvements to student access around the middle and high schools. Plans for a wider walkway and crosswalk at the front of the middle school aim to enhance student safety.

The board addressed agenda items such as the district improvement plan, the district mentoring plan, and the corrective action plan, all to be discussed further in subsequent meetings. Approval for several field trips for high school athletics to Orlando and Myrtle Beach, along with kindergarten excursions, was also mentioned.

The meeting also highlighted community engagement initiatives, including field trips to local community places like the library, municipal building, post office, and police station. These trips aim to enhance students’ understanding of their community as part of a unit on communities. The continuation of the therapy dog program at Helen I. Smith School was noted, with a call for connections to therapy dog organizations for other buildings in the district.

The district’s curriculum updates were discussed, including new English Language Arts (ELA) and math standards mandated by the state of New Jersey. The curriculum documents have been revised accordingly. The board also talked about the service providers list, which includes psychologists, social workers, and speech therapists available to assist students. Changes to the tardiness policy were noted, differentiating procedures between the middle school/high school and K-6 buildings regarding late arrivals.

A significant achievement highlighted was the district’s approval for the Teacher Climate and Culture Grant, making it the only district in Bergen County to receive this funding. This grant will enable the purchase of equipment such as 24 monitors and wireless devices for teachers, aimed at improving their work environment. The grant will also relieve administrative burdens related to scheduling field trips, now managed by a dedicated coordinator.

The board discussed updates on the district’s salary guide, which has been revised to streamline the number of steps from 28 to 21 over the next five years, reflecting improvements in compensation. The district’s starting salaries are competitive with neighboring districts, countering the perception that Saddle Brook does not attract or retain quality teachers due to low pay.

Challenges regarding student behavior and maintenance of school facilities were acknowledged, particularly concerning littering at the tennis courts and parking lot management. Possible solutions, such as student parking policies and maintaining cleanliness around school facilities, were discussed. The board commended the custodial staff’s efforts during the summer in preparing the school for the upcoming academic year.