The proposed bond, scheduled for a vote on January 28, is designed to be less than half the cost of the previous initiative. It involves the acquisition of L Grand Elementary School with minor renovations funded through capital reserves. This plan aims to alleviate space constraints by potentially converting L Grand Elementary into an Early Learning Center for pre-kindergarten students, thereby reducing overcrowding in elementary schools. The board discussed ongoing negotiations with the owner of 330 South Avenue, who agreed to lower the purchase price and extend the holding period for three months. An architects’ proposal to assess necessary renovations for preschool use was also considered.

The board emphasized the importance of community engagement in this process. A committee will meet monthly until the January vote, with details shared on the district’s website. Board members encouraged community members to seek accurate information directly from district administration rather than relying on social media.

In another development, the board assessed student performance metrics through a presentation of the 2023-2024 State assessment report. The district’s performance on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) for English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, and Science was presented, along with results from the Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) and ACCESS tests. While district students exceeded state averages in many areas, the report identified opportunities for growth, particularly in mathematics. Notably, over 70% of students in grades four, five, seven, and nine met or exceeded expectations in ELA. However, challenges were observed in grades six and geometry within mathematics.

The presentation also offered a demographic breakdown, revealing that while female students slightly decreased in mathematics performance, males saw a slight increase. Asian students continued to perform well, and Hispanic or Latino students showed modest improvement. The math leadership team recommended enhanced professional development for differentiated instruction and improved vertical articulation in transition grades to address performance dips.

In addition to academic performance, the board discussed student safety and well-being. Updates were provided on the Student Safety Data System (SSDS) and incidents related to violence, vandalism, and harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB).

The meeting also celebrated a grant from the Education Enrichment Foundation, which approved $10,000 for a music recording studio at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School. This initiative, driven by community requests, aims to enhance the high school’s music programs without covering expenses related to salaries or competitions.

Further discussions included proposed policy revisions, such as allowing students in grades 6 through 12 one state-excused absence per year to attend civic events. The board also reviewed new course proposals, including Italian language courses and a high-intensity ESL course designed to integrate multilingual learners into mainstream language arts standards.

Public comments reflected mixed emotions about the recent referendum’s failure, with residents expressing both disappointment and support for the board’s efforts. One resident praised the district’s performance, stating, “the scores that Dr. McGary presented… show that we have such a strong School District.”

The meeting concluded with acknowledgments of student achievements, including a historic varsity football touchdown by student Jalia Richards and the ribbon-cutting ceremony for new classrooms at Evergreen School, which marked an exciting milestone for students and faculty.