During the meeting, a resident who had been living in the township for nearly four decades voiced his surprise at the recommended tax hike and implored the board to reconsider going for the maximum increase. In response, the board clarified that the state had reclaimed $10 million in funding, only returning a fraction of it. Furthermore, residents were reminded that the tax increase is based on the assessed value of homes, not their market value, and those wishing to understand the specifics were invited to discuss them after the meeting or review the presentation.

The school district’s music education program received special attention as it was honored with a joint legislative ceremonial resolution. The superintendent and a guest speaker lauded the positive influence of the music program on students and acknowledged the music staff for their contributions to the program’s success.

The World Language supervisor introduced these students, and the board underscored the importance of language skills for future endeavors.

The board’s agenda also included addressing the district’s anti-bullying initiatives and reviewing the harassment, intimidation, and bullying (HIB) reports for the latter half of the previous year. The district’s anti-bullying coordinators presented data on 25 investigations, which resulted in eight confirmed HIB incidents. Prevention measures, staff training on HIB policies, and resources for parents were discussed, as well as the need for a more analysis of incidents over the years.

Public comments during the meeting spanned a range of topics. Residents expressed their concerns and support regarding the proposed tax increase, highlighting the financial impact on the community and the value of the school district. One community member raised questions about the reporting of bullying incidents, particularly the inclusion of religion as a protected class. Additionally, a group of students presented their request to include cricket in the school district’s sports curriculum, citing the sport’s potential for personal development and community building.

Among operational matters, the award of a contract to Maschio Food Service to provide food service for the students in the district was a topic of discussion. The board’s Operations Committee had evaluated proposals from Maschio and the current provider, Chartwells, ultimately deciding on Maschio based on food quality and presentation. The discussion included the implementation schedule, availability of vegetarian options, and the possibility of the board sampling the menu before its rollout.

The meeting concluded with a review of the consent agenda, which involved the approval of financial transfers, acceptance of donations, and transportation contracts. The board expressed gratitude for the donations from Parent-Teacher Organizations and discussed the allocation of funds for a roofing project at Cambridge Elementary School. The careful bidding process for non-public and vocational student transportation to ensure cost-effectiveness was also highlighted.