The meeting began with an enthusiastic report from new student council representatives. Morgan C., representing the high school, detailed various student activities and successes. She highlighted the freshman orientation on August 28th, the upcoming homecoming dance on October 5th with the theme “Tangled,” and a peer leadership retreat for seniors at Camp Bernie. The fall pep rally on October 4th will introduce fall sports and feature games such as musical chairs and tug-of-war. Morgan also mentioned that the school store has reopened, selling apparel and homecoming tickets during lunch periods.

Morgan provided an update on the college application process, noting that school counselors held presentations for senior parents and students about College and Career planning on September 20th. The student assistance counselor acknowledged World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th by raising awareness and encouraging students to share resources with peers. Additionally, Mrs. Proli was named teacher of the month for September.

In sports, Morgan congratulated the girls’ volleyball team for winning their first varsity game against New Brunswick, with a current record of 6-1. The football team, under new coach Poror, defeated Edison 40-21. The girls’ field hockey teams honored a coach’s daughter by making donations to a scholarship fund. The cross-country team had notable performances, with individual runners medaling at an invitational. The girls’ soccer team has a 3-3-1 record, and the boys’ soccer team is currently 2-4.

Alana S., representing the middle school, reported on various events and activities, including the success of the first PTO meeting and the upcoming family fun night. She detailed the student council’s involvement in sixth-grade orientation and upcoming beautification projects with the PTO. Alana also provided updates on the middle school athletic teams, noting the cross-country teams’ performances, the field hockey teams’ records, and the boys’ soccer team’s victory.

Following the student reports, the board president announced a $50 million grant from the United States Department of Education to support academic acceleration efforts in New Jersey. Discussions about this grant will continue in future meetings. The president also shared a personal anecdote about a recent encounter with a dog owner on school property, emphasizing the importance of maintaining rules regarding animals on school grounds.

A board member expressed concern about the impact of dog feces on young children, highlighting potential health risks. The speaker recounted an experience of confronting a dog owner near Truman School and urged the public to refrain from allowing pets to eliminate on school grounds. This issue complicates the management of geese in the area.

The board extended several commendations, recognizing the achievements of students and faculty. The vice president congratulated members of the high school and middle school Future Business Leaders of America clubs for their success at the National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida. A senior from War Memorial High School was selected to represent the United States in the youth national team competition at the 2024 Life-Saving World Championships in Australia. Truman Elementary School’s Chanet Josiah was named the Age of Learning Educator of the Year, and Kevin Bloom, a social studies and financial literacy teacher, was acknowledged as a distinguished educator in personal finance.

The personnel committee reported an increase in the substitute fill rate to levels seen in 2019. Updates on various referendum projects were provided, with most projects on track. However, the completion date for the HVAC project at the high school has been extended to December 2025. Plans for minor renovations to the bus garage were proposed to accommodate more space for maintenance and storage due to the growing number of buses.

The surplus calculation revealed approximately $4 million, with an ongoing audit. The board approved several motions, including a minor amendment to the 2019 long-range facility plan to incorporate the bus garage and a greenhouse at the high school. Contracts for flooring replacement at the Jesse Sover School and drainage installations at the high school were also approved, along with sidewalk and railing repairs at Samuel School and Truman School.

The board discussed the replacement of a bus that had burned, with the anticipated insurance reimbursement being $68,000. Questions were raised about specific repairs related to the school grounds, particularly concerning the maintenance of the playground area and the timeline for parking lot renovations.

The board was asked to approve the long-term suspension of several students and updates on curriculum guides revised to align with state standards. New initiatives included the establishment of a knitting and crocheting club at the high school and an environmentalist club at the middle school, partially funded by a climate change grant.

During the public participation segment, Mr. Rittenhouse, representing the Historical Society, addressed the board regarding the preservation of the 1909 Town Hall Firehouse. He brought attention to a question on the November 5th ballot regarding a $3 million allocation for the firehouse. Mr. Rittenhouse emphasized the firehouse’s importance for educational trips that fourth graders take to learn about local history. The board expressed gratitude towards Mr. Rittenhouse and the Historical Society for their contributions.