The academic year is set to commence on September 4, as Superintendent Hayden Moore highlighted, welcoming new and returning students and staff. A major topic was the report on the district’s NJ GPA results and ACCESS for ELLs assessments. Assistant Superintendent Evany Dz and Director of Assessment Michelle Martino detailed that 88.5% of students passed the NJ GPA in English Language Arts (ELA) during the first sitting in March, compared to a state average of 81.6%. In math, 55.3% of students passed, slightly above the state average of 54.7%. These results marked a 6% increase in ELA proficiency and a 12.6% increase in math proficiency from the previous year. Alternate pathways for graduation, such as SAT scores or portfolio appeals, were also discussed, emphasizing the need for diverse methods to demonstrate student competency.

The district reported notable improvements among ethnic groups: Black African-American students exhibited an increase in ELA proficiency to 88.1%, Hispanic students showed a 6.1% growth, and Asian students experienced a 5.6% rise. In mathematics, Hispanic students had a significant increase of 43.9%, and English learners (ELs) showed an outstanding 108% growth. Martino noted that 86.7% of economically disadvantaged students demonstrated proficiency in ELA.

The performance of multilingual learners (MLs) was another focal point of the meeting. The spring 2024 assessment measured English language proficiency across listening, speaking, reading, and writing domains. The number of multilingual learners surged from 231 in 2021 to 482 in 2023, representing a 108.7% increase. The influx of recent immigrant students was discussed, with a noted impact on math proficiency scores due to varying educational backgrounds and language barriers. One participant emphasized the need to disaggregate data to better understand the performance of different student subgroups, particularly those exempt from assessments due to Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and newly arrived MLs.

The meeting also addressed the district’s Universal Pre-K program, with Kalicia Dorlene providing an update. Enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year will accommodate up to 480 preschool students, including 35 reserved spots for inclusion. The district locations serving preschoolers include the Early Childhood Learning Center and the Betty Melina facility, among others. New facilities joining the program, such as Tutor Time of West Orange, reported high registration numbers, with most locations opening on schedule. Dorlene noted that only 19 spaces remained available, with outreach underway to families on the waiting list.

The board commended the progress made by Latinx and Black students, contrasting it with nationwide trends where these groups often underperform. A board member expressed pride in the district’s ability to support these subgroups and hoped that the methodologies used could be applied universally. The board acknowledged the hard work put into developing a diverse and equitable educational environment while recognizing ongoing challenges, particularly in improving math proficiency across all student demographics.

Superintendent Moore highlighted the efforts of the new board liaisons, Abby Rothstein and Nina Davis, in fostering community engagement. The board president also recognized Miss Marie Deo, a longstanding educator serving at Washington Elementary since 1962, with plans for a formal acknowledgment at a future meeting. The president expressed pride in the community’s youth programs, noting an Eagle court of honor for a local Scout.

The meeting concluded with discussions on various resolutions, including personnel items, curriculum updates, finances, and special services. Retirees were recognized for their years of service, including a custodian with 24 years, a part-time bus driver with 8.5 years, and a night-shift custodian with 33.5 years. The board expressed gratitude for their dedication to the West Orange community.