The meeting also featured an in-depth analysis of the district’s performance on the New Jersey Student Learning Assessments (NJSLA) for the 2024-2025 school year. Dr. Lisa Rabimus presented the results, highlighting the district’s strong performance in English language arts and mathematics, where students consistently exceeded state averages. Notably, in grades four and seven, 73.2% and 74.3% of students met or exceeded expectations in ELA, respectively. In mathematics, the district achieved a remarkable 100% proficiency in Algebra 2.

The board explored the results further, acknowledging notable performances across various student demographics, including multilingual learners and students with significant cognitive disabilities who participated in the Dynamic Learning Maps assessments. Dr. Rabimus emphasized the importance of these data in evaluating instructional strategies and ensuring targeted interventions for student growth.

Financial matters were also a focus. A detailed audit report was presented, revealing a decrease in the district’s overall fund balance to $18.15 million, including capital and maintenance reserves. The audit, conducted by Andrew Kachinsky, highlighted the district’s healthy financial standing despite the reduction. The board discussed the implications of federal compliance requirements, which prevented the immediate acceptance of the audit results due to expenditures exceeding $750,000 in federal grants.

The board also addressed the eighth-grade trip to Hershey Park, a topic of considerable discussion. The cost of the trip, estimated at $535, raised concerns among board members and parents, particularly regarding financial accessibility for all students. Participation rates for the trip had declined, partly due to rising expenses, prompting the board to consider alternative options. Suggestions included one-day trips or splitting the trip into separate events to maintain a celebratory atmosphere without imposing financial burdens on families.

They discussed the potential establishment of a district-wide committee to evaluate the field trip process. The board expressed a desire to ensure all students can partake in these pivotal experiences.

Community engagement was underscored as the board announced upcoming opportunities for public input on redistricting and full-day kindergarten. The superintendent noted a recent event where community members discussed these topics and encouraged participation in future sessions to ensure the decisions reflect community needs. These discussions are slated to conclude by the November board meeting, with new sending zones expected to be communicated in the spring.