Robert Hoffman

The meeting included presentations recognizing the 2025-2026 Governor's Educators of the Year and thanking outgoing Board of Education members and a tech support specialist. The Superintendent's report covered an HIB report for approval, enrollment reports, and emergency/fire drill reports. Key actions involved approving the November 19, 2025 HIB report and approving the minutes from the November 19, 2025 Regular Board Meeting and Executive Session. Curriculum items included reviewing 2026-2027 school calendar drafts and approving the calendar option starting August 31, 2026, along with approving an updated Virtual Instruction Program and several field trips for the 2025-2026 school year. Policy discussions focused on the first reading approval to remove a section from Policy #5512 and the first reading approval of several revised and new policies related to Resource Materials and Public Complaints, often influenced by the new Freedom to Read Act. The Finance section addressed the approval of the 2024-2025 School Audit with no findings, approval of district bills for payment covering November 20 to December 10, 2025, acceptance of the November 2025 Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports, approval of a technology services contract, approval of a PTA grant, approval of a 2025-2026 fundraiser, and approval of various staff workshop/travel requests. Personnel actions included approving the hiring of a Special Education Teacher starting in January 2026, approving a volunteer Softball Coach, approving an assistant for live streaming meetings, and approving several coaching stipends and honoraria for the 2025-2026 school year. Old Business touched upon a forthcoming meeting regarding school resource officers and a desire to discuss alternative revenue sources.

Key discussions included the presentation of the 2024-2025 audit results and a review of referendum projects and timelines. The Superintendent provided updates on HIB investigation timelines, and reviewed enrollment and drill reports. The Board approved the January 6, 2026 HIB report. Curriculum items involved discussion on participating in an NJDOE middle school survey, celebrating local anniversaries, and exploring the possibility of forming a co-operative boys lacrosse team with neighboring townships, as well as discussing the cost implications of hiring student resource officers. Policy discussions covered the first reading approval of several revised and new policies related to nepotism and sexual harassment. In Finance, the Board addressed increasing preschool tuition and the YMCA facility fee, approved bills, certified financial reports for December 2025, approved the SEMI Program Waiver application for 2026-2027, and reviewed several workshop/travel requests. Old Business included requests for committees to review website progress and Chromebook usage, and a request to issue an RFP for food service.

The meeting involved organizational actions, including the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected board members and the subsequent election of the President, William Simon, and Vice President, Suleyka Munoz. Annual appointments were approved, specifying delegates and alternates for various educational associations, and outlining authorized signers for board bank accounts for the period of January 2026 through January 2027. During the Committee of the Whole session, the Board approved the submission of the Student Safety Data System Report for Period 1 2025-2026. Curriculum matters included the approval of several field trips for the 2025-2026 school year, such as library visits and art show displays. Policy actions involved approving several policies and regulations on second reading, including those related to Resource Materials and Public Complaints, and removing language from the Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policy. Finance actions included approving a contract allowance for the Old Turnpike HVAC Replacement project and approving several workshop and travel requests for staff. The personnel section approved a clinical internship for a student, the hiring of a Custodian starting in 2026, and a maternity leave request for a teacher with an expected return in October 2026. Old business included an inquiry regarding an RFP for food service.

The meeting agenda included a Special Meeting for Ethics Training followed by the Committee of the Whole Meeting open to the public. Key discussion topics included District Goals and Board Goals. The agenda items covered presentations on Ethics Training and a Health Benefits update. Correspondence included a thank you note from the Anderson House. The minutes of previous meetings (January 6, 2026 Reorganization and Committee of the Whole, January 6, 2026 Executive Session, and January 21, 2026 Regular Board Meeting) were noted for approval. Committee reports involved discussions on Chromebook use, shared services, lacrosse policy revisions, and the first reading of the Athletic Competition policy. The Finance committee addressed rates for psychiatric and neurodevelopmental evaluations with Hunterdon Health and Mindspace Psychiatry, LLC, approved several workshop/travel requests, and approved grants from the Tewksbury Education Foundation and the Tewksbury PTA. The Facilities discussion noted an Antique Show scheduled for December 5, 2026, and approved the 2025-26 Extended School Year Program. The agenda concluded with provisions for public comment periods, legislative review, and a determination to enter executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters.

The document outlines an agenda item for the Personnel discussion section, specifically a motion to approve a leave request for Patrice DelGrande, a 4th Grade Teacher, effective from April 21, 2026, through June 22, 2026.