Bertha Bermudez

The Livingston High School Course Guide for 2026-2027 serves as a comprehensive resource for students, parents, and school personnel, outlining high school graduation requirements, diverse course offerings across various departments, and critical post-secondary planning tools. It focuses on empowering students' intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development, fostering respect, technological literacy, and ethical decision-making. Key areas include detailed course descriptions, explanation of course levels (College Preparatory, Honors, Advanced Placement), scheduling procedures, GPA calculation, and guidance for college admissions, career paths, and dual enrollment opportunities, all designed to support students in achieving academic success and future aspirations.

The meeting agenda included an Executive Session followed by a Public Session. Key recommendations for approval covered Program/Curriculum items such as student teachers and field trips, Student Services actions including approval for an out-of-district placement and professional development training on Implicit Bias. Business recommendations included approval for payment of bills totaling over $18 million, ratification of budget transfers for January, approval for overnight trip medical assistance, approval of the 2027-2028 Academic Calendar, establishment of bank accounts at Somerset Regal Bank, authorization to enter into the Bergen County New Jersey Cooperative Purchasing Alliance, the annual appointment of an Architect of Record, and a resolution addressing the impact of the New Jersey School Funding Formula and statutory tax levy cap on the 2026-2027 budget and beyond. The Board also adopted a resolution opposing substantial health benefit premium increases and approved several bylaws, policies, and regulations for first and second reading, while abolishing others. Personnel items covered resignations, leaves of absences, appointments, substitutes, extra period assignments, stipends, and mentor fees. The Board also accepted the findings of HIB cases. The agenda concluded with resolutions determining the necessity to meet in executive session post-adjournment to discuss personnel matters and other confidential issues.

The meeting included a discussion regarding the challenging 2026-2027 budget cycle, noting the current 2025-2026 budget is sound. A key resolution addressed changing the annual school election date from November to the third Tuesday in April to restore the voters' right to a separate non-partisan election; however, the motion to table this resolution was adopted. A workshop item regarding certification training was also tabled. The session concluded with a motion to enter Executive Session to discuss personnel matters.

The meeting commenced with an executive session to discuss legal and student matters. The subsequent public session included the Superintendent's Report, which detailed challenges in the 2026-2027 budget due to rising costs for essential services and flat state funding projections, anticipating a $5 million gap. Resolutions regarding the New Jersey funding formula and health insurance premiums are set for the following meeting agenda. The administration is planning for various budget scenarios and will engage the community through dedicated forums. Board reports covered training sessions and community events. The Student Representative mentioned the launch of the "Flat Lancer" project for the Semiquincentennial celebration. Public comment expressed frustration regarding the timing of financial issue disclosure. Action items approved included changes to the Annual Public Meeting Calendar (adding a March 24 meeting and moving the May 12 meeting), approval of conferences and overnight trips, acceptance of resignations, leaves of absences, appointments (including emergent hiring and replacement staff), extra period assignments, and acceptance of the HIB report findings. Retirees were acknowledged for their service exceeding 100 collective years.

The meeting included an Executive Session followed by a Public Session. Key actions included the approval of Mark Stern's appointment as Superintendent of Schools for the period beginning July 7, 2026. A demographic study was presented projecting a steady increase in enrollments over five years, largely due to inward migration. Public comments focused heavily on requesting reconsideration of the newly implemented no-backpack policy at MPMS due to safety concerns regarding students carrying supplies on stairs. The Board approved several resolutions related to program/curriculum (approving novels, professional development contracts), student services (out-of-district placements), and business matters (payment of bills, acceptance of monthly financial reports for November and December 2025, approvals for ParentSquare services and settlement agreements, and approval of various policies for first and second reading). Numerous personnel actions were taken, including accepting resignations and retirements, approving leaves of absences, and making various emergent hiring appointments for the 2025-2026 school year. The meeting concluded with accepting the findings of HIB cases and adjourning into a final Executive Session.