Highland Park School Board Addresses Equity and Excellence in Education

Overview: The Highland Park School Board recently held a meeting that underscored the importance of fostering a safe and respectful environment within the educational community. The board, along with district leadership, committed to upholding values of integrity, compassion, and understanding to combat harassment and inappropriate behavior. The meeting’s most topics included discussions on promoting equity and excellence, the formation of an Equity and Excellence Committee, review of the district’s comprehensive Equity plan, enrollment disparities in advanced placement courses, and the process for high school course selection.

Highland Park Embraces Solar Future with Community Solar Program

Overview: Highland Park Borough Council, in a recent meeting, took steps toward a renewable future by discussing participation in the state’s Community Solar program, addressing a critical water main break, and announcing initiatives to enhance local services and community programs. The Council’s engagement with the Community Solar program stood out as a noteworthy event.

Highland Park School Board Addresses Increased Tardiness and Start Times

Overview: The Highland Park School Board covered a range of issues in their recent meeting, with the most focus being on the growing concerns over school start times. Reports of a 30% increase in tardiness at the high school, as compared to the previous year, prompted discussions among community members and board attendees. Parents and community members voiced strong opinions, with one urging for school start times to be pushed to after 8 a.m. for the well-being of students. Another community member criticized the school district’s survey on start times as inadequate, demanding more options to resolve the issue. The debate extended to the impact of early dismissals on after-school care.

Highland Park Borough Council Discusses New Family Connect Program, Snow Removal, and Health Benefits Plan Termination

Overview: The Highland Park Borough Council’s recent meeting was highlighted by the introduction of the Family Connect program to support families with newborns, updates on snow removal efforts, and discussions regarding the termination of participation in the state health benefits plan. The meeting also included the swearing-in of Officer Trey Wilson and the promotion of Officers Sean McGrath and Alberto Pacho to Sergeant, as well as updates on community services, local events, and various commission meetings.

Middlesex County Board of Commissioners Tackles Traffic Safety, Warehouse Concerns, and Public Transportation

Overview: In a recent meeting, the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners addressed significant safety and development issues, including measures to prevent fatal vehicular crashes, the controversy over a proposed warehouse in Piscataway, and the future of public transportation within the county. The meeting commenced with a moment of silence for military and first responders, followed by unanimous approvals for various initiatives and the introduction of two bond ordinances aimed at capital improvements.