Bridgewater-Raritan Regional School District

The meeting included discussion on student winter athlete recognition, recognition of student BOE members, district goals update, and the annual district summary progress report on wellness. Committee reports included updates from the Academic Committee on policy review, Community Relations Committee, Finance, Facilities, and Transportation Committee on the Referendum Budget Update, Business Agenda Review, 2025-2026 Meal Prices, Policy 6820 - Financial Reports, and Personnel Committee on drafts of personnel addenda, review of the Comprehensive Equity Plan, and proposed revisions to policies on recording board meetings and remote public meetings. The public was allowed to comment. The board approved personnel addendum, non-bargaining unit reappointments, the Comprehensive Equity Plan, and a settlement agreement. The board also approved workshop and conference attendance and reimbursement of related travel expenses. Business items included accepting gifts, approving the bills list, change orders, purchases, payment applications, bid awards, a joint transportation agreement, transportation contract renewals, disposing of obsolete school property, the FY25 School Violence Prevention Program Application, and using competitive contracting. The board approved out-of-district tuition and settlement agreements. The board also discussed HIB incident and investigation reports and approved the 2026-2027 school calendar. The board entered a closed session to discuss the Superintendent Evaluation and a student disciplinary matter.

The meeting included updates on NJSLA Testing, AP Exams, and athletic/extracurricular events. A presentation on the 2025-2026 School Year Budget was given, followed by a public hearing on the budget. Committee reports were presented, including updates from the Academic Committee, Community Relations Committee, Finance, Facilities, and Transportation Committee, Personnel Committee, and Liaison/Delegate Reports. Members of the public spoke on various topics, including Policy 5756, class sizes, and the need for a counselor for students interested in Trade Schools. The Board approved a personnel addendum and 2025-2026 reappointments. They also approved workshop/conference attendance, field trips, and overnight trips. The Board approved gifts, financial reports, change orders, purchases, payment applications, the 2025-2026 school year budget, bid awards, the 2025 NJSIG Safety Grant, an agreement with the Educational Services Commission of NJ, a food service management contract, transportation bid awards, student activity clubs, and a coordinated transportation service agreement. The Board also discussed HIB incident and investigation reports and revisions to Policy 0168 regarding recording board meetings. Additional topics included high school bathroom conditions, the ratio of students to teachers at Bradley Gardens, and remote participation at board meetings.

The summary check register includes a ratification and voided check register, as well as a payment review summary.

The meeting included a presentation on the 2025-2026 school year budget and a public hearing on the budget. Committee reports were given, including updates from the Academic Committee, Community Relations Committee, Finance, Facilities, and Transportation Committee, and Personnel Committee. Members of the public spoke on various issues, including Policy 5756, the need for an additional 3rd-grade classroom, smaller class sizes, and student behavior and staff safety. The Board approved personnel actions, curriculum items such as workshop attendance and field trips, and business items including gifts, financial reports, change orders, purchases, payment applications, the 2025-2026 school year budget, bid awards, a safety grant, agreements with educational services, a food service management contract, transportation bid awards, student activity clubs, and a coordinated transportation service agreement. The Board also discussed HIB incident reports and a policy regarding the recording of board meetings. Additional discussions covered high school bathroom conditions, classroom conditions, and potential revisions to policies regarding financial reports and remote participation at board meetings.

The meeting included the announcement of election results, administration of the Oath of Office to new board members, and the election of the Board President and Vice President. The board also elected a representative and alternate to the Somerset County Educational Services Commission Board of Directors, and a delegate and alternate to the New Jersey School Boards Association's Delegate's Assembly and Somerset County School Boards Association. The Board President appointed liaisons to the Raritan Borough Council and Bridgewater Township Council. Motions were approved to designate the Official Newspaper for publication of legal notices and advertisements, designate depositories for District funds, designate signatures for District of checking accounts, establish the date, time and place for regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Education, adopt Board of Education Policies, adopt existing curricula, adopt existing textbooks, authorize the Business Administrator to advertise bids and sign Board awarded contracts for goods and services, authorize periodic sales of used and/or surplus property, appoint District employees and advisors, and approve Annual Rates for Independent Evaluations. The meeting also involved discussions regarding personnel and student matters in a closed session.