A comprehensive update on the facilities was provided by Mr. Ray Slam, who humorously referred to his report as “what I did on my summer vacation.” He detailed the progress made on various projects during the summer, including plumbing and door installation at Walnut Ridge, replacement of a split unit at the high school, and the cleaning of sewage treatment plant tanks. Notably, access points were added at Glen Meadow and Rolling Hills to enhance classroom connectivity, and sidewalk repairs at the high school improved safety by eliminating trip hazards. A chemical storage tank repair at Glen Meadow was another key safety enhancement.

One significant highlight was the successful coordination with the town engineer for a paving project, which allowed the district to benefit from the town’s broader paving efforts. This collaboration resulted in a full repaving of the parking lot at a savings of approximately $80,000. The savings are expected to support the replacement of the fire alarm system at Rolling Hills. The high school also saw partial repaving, along with curbing and sidewalk replacements in the athletic area for safety reasons. Mr. Slam emphasized the importance of maintaining safe conditions on school grounds to prevent accidents and financial liabilities.

Further discussion focused on ongoing repairs at Glen Meadow, where leaking issues tied to masonry problems were addressed via roof repairs. An upgrade to the building management system was completed, and a new architect of record was appointed following a request for proposals (RFP). A notable change occurred at Walnut Ridge, where a complete flip of the school building was executed to accommodate preschool expansion requirements. This involved relocating the preschool to larger rooms that met size qualifications for a waiver, and the Child Study Team (CST) was also relocated to support this change.

Mr. Van Kirk continued the presentation, detailing approximately 16 to 17 completed projects and about 20 additional projects still in progress. He mentioned issues with the P filtration system and delays in the delivery of fire doors, which affected installation schedules. Tennis court repairs at the high school were projected for completion by the end of September, and additional parking and maintenance work at Rolling Hills was scheduled for Spring Break. The fire alarm replacement at Rolling Hills was anticipated to start in late June, with the district working closely with the architect on the bidding strategy. A retaining wall repair at the high school was scheduled to start on November 7, coinciding with the teachers’ convention to minimize disruption.

The board also discussed the Energy Savings Improvement Program (EIP), which has been under consideration for several months. A local government energy audit and an investment grade audit had been completed, and there was anticipation regarding a proposal from Elizabeth Natural Gas about extending natural gas lines to the schools. This extension could facilitate a transition to natural gas, potentially generating substantial savings to be allocated toward energy projects within the district. The timeline for finalizing energy-saving measures was projected for mid-October.

In another development, the board addressed a troubling incident involving the school community, where a lack of communication from the administration led to parental concern and rumors. A board member noted the “panic” in the community due to the absence of official information about the incident. This situation underscored the importance of prompt communication from the administration when issues arise. Additionally, Corporal Steve Retto was recognized for his heroic actions in an emergency that saved the life of an 18-year-old, with the board expressing pride in his accomplishments as an alumnus of Vernon Township Schools.

Further discussions included a newly proposed policy on board member participation in meetings using electronic devices. Recommendations stated that the policy would apply only to regularly scheduled meetings, with a maximum of three members attending remotely per meeting. Participants must provide their own equipment and be present for the entire meeting. The need for video participation was debated, with several members agreeing it would enhance accountability and engagement.

The topic of attendance was addressed, highlighting the formation of an ad hoc committee focused on chronic absenteeism. The committee’s initial meeting included strong attendance from various stakeholders who discussed factors contributing to absenteeism, such as anxiety and transportation issues. The committee planned to meet again to review attendance data and discuss strategies to improve the situation.

During public participation, a resident named D. Edwards raised questions about preschool enrollment and associated costs, expressing frustration over the difficulty in obtaining information about fire alarm system costs and the allocation of funds saved through town efforts in paving projects. The board emphasized the need for transparency regarding financial matters and resource allocation within the district.