The evening began with the recognition of New Jersey Educators of the Year from the Wayne School District, as the board honored teachers and Educational Service Professionals from each of the 15 schools. The educators were lauded for their adaptability and impact on the community, particularly in the face of recent challenges. The President of the Wayne Education Association, Rob Sardi, joined in celebrating their achievements.

In terms of achievements, Wayne Hills High School and Wayne Valley High School students shone brightly. Wayne Hills garnered first place trophies at the njaap PT physics Olympics, while their Glamour Gals Club provided services to nursing home residents. The Wayne Hills band announced student musicians selected for honors ensembles, and the school’s winter guard and cheerleading teams achieved commendable ranks in their competitions, with the cheerleading team earning a paid bid to an international event in Orlando, Florida. The girls basketball team celebrated a Passaic County championship win, their first since 1982. Notably, fencer Karina Festa achieved a top position in a junior World Cup Championship.

The board also addressed the important matter of infrastructure, with several members advocating for the proposed referendum. They discussed the significance of investing in school facilities, comparable to maintaining a 25-year-old house, and the potential savings from replacing outdated boilers and windows. The board emphasized the necessity to plan for the future and to address the increasing expenses and teacher shortages. The community’s response to the referendum, including the attendance at a community forum and traffic on the referendum website, was positive, with high levels of engagement noted.

Internal tensions arose regarding the appointment of new board member Ryan Paul, with some expressing dissatisfaction with the process and the outcome. Additionally, the retirement announcements of long-serving educators highlighted the dedication and impact of the district‚Äôs staff. The retirees, including a 34-year veteran teacher and a 25-year van driver, were celebrated for their commitment to Wayne’s students and community.

Public commentary brought forth issues of board conduct and integrity. Jennifer Bell voiced concerns about personal attacks and urged the board to set a positive example. Stuart Resmer, from Santa Monica, California, expressed surprise at comments made about the referendum. Moreover, a board member expressed frustration over unaddressed public criticism from the mayor, seeking equal time to respond.