Caralee Gately

The meeting commenced with a call to order and a statement of meeting notice, followed by an executive session to discuss legal negotiation and personnel matters. Upon returning, the President's comments highlighted the success of the TRAPS marketplace, featuring over 185 student entrepreneurs, and extended thanks to outgoing board members for their contributions, including their involvement in the superintendent search and curriculum rollouts. The Superintendent reported the results of HIB-related investigations, detailing founded and unfounded reports across various schools. Committee reports covered the Education Committee's discussion on updates to educational spaces, STEAM supplies, ELA planning, and the draft calendar. The Finance and Facilities Committee reported on referendum projects, noting pending final inspections and revisions for construction bid packages; they also noted a net enrollment increase of 59 students and reviewed cost-reduction ideas for health insurance. The Personnel Committee discussed ongoing interviews for a special education position due to a resignation and reviewed Apes positions. The board also approved minutes from previous meetings, accepted several in-kind contributions valued at over $5,000 for playground equipment and educational tools, and approved policies under a second reading. New business included an extensive acknowledgment of an outgoing board member's significant impact and commitment to the district, particularly in special education and committee leadership.

The meeting included a report on HIB cases, a presentation on school self-assessment for determining grades under the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, and the annual district testing report. Committee reports were given for Education, Finance & Facilities, and Communications & Governance. The board approved placement of college students, homebound instruction, revised field trips, a memorandum of agreement with law enforcement officials, and the Superintendent's report on the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. They also accepted a contribution from Empowering Writers and approved budget transfers, the report of the secretary, and contracts for various services including augmentative communication support training, snow plowing, and transportation. Personnel matters included retirements, resignations, filling posted positions, and approving extra period stipends. The board also read for the first time policies related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Public comments were made regarding road construction.

The meeting included discussions on parent-teacher conferences, the NJSBA conference, and the swearing-in of a new class 3 school resource officer. There was a report on HIV-related investigations and a presentation on the audit, covering the general fund, federal funds, capital projects fund, food service fund, and transportation fund. The education committee discussed professional development day activities, the reunification drill, and updates on ELA and I Ready. The finance and facilities committee reviewed health insurance, finance items, referendum construction, and the use of funds for a class 3 officer for security monitoring.

The Washington Township Board of Education held a meeting where they discussed various topics. These included a presentation on the 2024-2025 audit, committee reports from the Education, Finance & Facilities, Personnel, and Communications & Governance Committees. The board approved the submission of the 2025-2026 School Safety and Security Plan Statement of Assurance, accepted the Superintendent's report relevant to the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, and affirmed the October 14, 2025 report related to the same act. They also accepted contributions for the TREP$ program, approved budget transfers, accepted the Report of the Secretary, and approved the Comprehensive Maintenance Plan for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, they approved contracts for public school out of district tuition and related service providers, and discussed the disposal of obsolete equipment. Personnel matters included accepting resignations, filling posted positions and leave replacement positions, adjusting Paraprofessional/Aide hours, and approving substitutes. The board also approved bus training for Bus Aides and read policies related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Academic Integrity. The abolishment of the Safety Officer position was postponed.

The meeting included discussions of road construction impacts on the town and acknowledgments to parents and central office staff for their understanding and adjustments. A report on HIV-related investigations and school self-assessment scores was presented. The annual district testing report covered NJSLA and DLM results, with analysis of performance levels, subgroups, and cohort achievements in ELA, math, and science. Highlights included writing skills and gains in mathematics achievement, with a focus on exceeding expectations.