The cell phone policy, which is still in the stages of discussion, was a central topic during the meeting. The board members concurred that the objective was to create a uniform policy throughout the district. They acknowledged the potential necessity for future revisions to the policy and emphasized the importance of consistent enforcement by the administration. The conversation also highlighted the importance of balancing technology use with educational goals, mentioning the use of Chromebooks in classrooms.

Board members discussed the need for a regulation to support the policy, with some expressing worries about strict enforcement possibly leading to rebellious behavior among students. Points were raised about the diversity in the types of phones students own and how this could impact their learning experience. Furthermore, the policy’s potential effects on student mental health were discussed.

The board also reviewed the performance of students on the New Jersey Graduation Proficiency Assessment. Mrs. Rosi presented the results, which showed that 94.1% of 11th graders were ready to graduate in English language arts and 70.5% in math, surpassing the state norms. The performance of specific student subgroups, such as economically disadvantaged students and those with disabilities, was also discussed, with a call for individualized support.

The issue of middle school math placement was brought to the board’s attention by a community member, Maya Weidenbach, who noted discrepancies in the rubric used for determining class placement for incoming seventh graders. She questioned the fairness and transparency of the criteria used in the placement process.

Angela DeLucia, president of the Sparta Education Association, discussed ongoing initiatives, including preparations for the next school year, professional development for educators, and the implementation of the revised cell phone policy. Jenny Derek spoke about the cell phone policy as well.

Public comments included concerns about a student survey conducted by the College of St. Elizabeth, with parents expressing discontent over their children being incentivized to participate. Additionally, the contributions from the United Methodist Church and the Sparta Education Foundation were acknowledged, with the former donating to address lunch balances and the latter contributing towards flexible seating for K-2 classrooms.

The board also touched on policy revisions regarding student attendance, the district’s new website provider, communication notification system, and online payment service. There was an acknowledgment of the need for further discussion on the confiscation procedure outlined in the updated policy. A motion was made to move personnel and policy items forward for further discussion and consideration at the next meeting.

The board concluded with a motion to enter a closed session to discuss personnel and legal matters.