The meeting began with an engaging presentation by eighth-grade students under the guidance of their teacher, Mrs. Kelly Williamson. The students recited poems reflecting significant personal experiences, highlighting the power of storytelling. Braden Chinoski opened with “O to the Track,” capturing his passion for cross country and the sensory excitement of the sport. Llaya Dorman bravely shared her life with type 1 diabetes through two notable poems, emphasizing resilience. Lola Mench recounted her experience with Hurricane Ida, reflecting on community strength amid crisis. Olivia Sherwin offered a narrative on perseverance in “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” while Yasmin Silva expressed the emotional challenges of moving in “five reasons why moving away is stressful.” Julia Bulman’s poem on Hurricane Ida was read in her absence, detailing chaos and panic during the storm. The presentations were met with gratitude and applause.

Following the poetry presentation, the board delved into the HIB self-assessment report for the 2024-2025 school year. The district achieved a score of 71, surpassing the state compliance threshold of 50. The report outlined the district’s efforts in implementing HIB programs, staff training, and appointing anti-bullying specialists. Each school’s safety and climate team regularly reviews HIB reports, and the district coordinates with these specialists to ensure effective case management. The elementary school reported no HIB cases, affecting its scoring due to the lack of incidents to document. The board emphasized compliance with New Jersey statutes, noting that while seven incidents were reported, only one met the legal criteria for HIB, though all cases were addressed according to school rules.

The review of the Student Safety Data System report highlighted a decline in incidents, attributing this to improved resources and programs, including mental health counseling and anti-bullying initiatives funded by grants. The superintendent provided a brief update on the ongoing turf project at the football field, with completion expected by March, and the board discussed the closing of the West Antwell School property.

In other decisions, the board approved contracts for Camp Fairview and Matrix Engineering for the turf field installation. A new contract with Hunterdon County for emergency student relocation was also noted. The board addressed a range of policy revisions, including changes to grading systems and graduation requirements, with dance classes now substitutable for physical education credits. The board also introduced new policies on electronic communication device usage, including smartwatches.

The meeting also focused on community and school initiatives. A new contract with Behavioral Health was approved to provide programming to middle and high school students, emphasizing responsible screen use and mental health awareness. The board discussed the successful turnout at parent-teacher conferences and explored ways to enhance future events. The community classroom initiative saw significant volunteer participation, enriching classroom experiences by integrating real-world applications.

Looking ahead, the board discussed the potential for an earlier school start date for the 2026-2027 year due to a late Labor Day and outlined governance improvements through the development of board norms and procedures. No public comments were received during both dedicated and general comment periods, and the meeting concluded with the acknowledgment of two new board members joining in January.