Kalishia Darlene, Director of Early Childhood, presented the evolution of the pre-K program, which began with grassroots advocacy in October 2019 and expanded through a grant in September 2022. This expansion has allowed the district to offer pre-K education to 600 students, up from an initial 150 in the first year, with a goal to increase capacity to 850 slots. The program’s growth included the addition of staff roles to support the increased number of classrooms and the implementation of a high-quality curriculum.

The board acknowledged the challenges of teacher retention amidst a national shortage of qualified educators, which has led to a competitive hiring environment. To address this, outreach to local colleges has been initiated to inform them of available positions in early childhood education. Additionally, the board is focused on enhancing professional development opportunities for preschool teachers to reduce turnover rates, introducing new training modules on positive behavior support in classrooms.

Efforts to raise awareness about the free pre-K program continue, as many families remain unaware of these opportunities. Marketing initiatives, such as banners and mailers, are being discussed to promote the program more effectively. The board noted that demographic changes require a flexible approach to meet community needs. Transportation logistics have been revised to include centralized pick-up locations and bus IDs to better track preschoolers’ transportation routes.

The meeting also addressed the importance of community involvement in the district’s strategic planning process. The superintendent invited the community to participate in a forum scheduled for November 13th to gather public input for the 2025-2026 academic year goals, which include budget processes and a new middle school configuration. An online survey will be available for those unable to attend the forum in person.

Financial pressures facing the district were another focal point of the meeting. A speaker expressed concerns about the need for transparency and communication regarding the budget process. The suggestion to establish a budget advisory committee was made to engage the community in upcoming budget discussions. The board acknowledged the importance of addressing the structural budget deficit and expressed enthusiasm for community engagement in the planning process.

The meeting also highlighted the district’s efforts to support the community through various initiatives. Hazel Elementary School’s community programs, including a tutoring partnership with Seton Hall prep students and a successful Hispanic heritage festival, were celebrated. The school also hosted a free farmers market and a coat drive.

During the public comment segment, concerns were raised about food insecurity, with a suggestion to implement a zero-waste pilot program to repurpose uneaten food for students in need. Additionally, issues surrounding PTA communication and resource sharing between schools were discussed, with a call for better collaboration to ensure all schools are adequately served.