Cathleen DelaPaz

The Board approved the Secretary's and Treasurer's reports for June and July 2025, authorized fund transfers for those months, and approved the September 12, 2025, bill list. Several grant-related resolutions were adopted, including the acceptance of funds for the NJLWD Adult Basic Skills Education and IELCE Grant, the ESEA 2025-26 grant, and the IDEA 2026 grant, along with corresponding staff salary and benefit allocations for these grants. The Board approved professional services contracts with Insite Health and LD Behavioral and Support Services LLC, as well as various professional day requests. Personnel actions included resignations, new staff appointments, amendments to previous employment resolutions, and the appointment of staff to various roles including morning, learning center, and lunch monitors, as well as adult school program staff and department chairpersons.

The Board approved various financial items, including payment of bills and amendments to the NJDOE Teach STEM in Nonpublic Schools grant. They also authorized the submission of the ESEA-2026 grant application and accepted the first-year renewal option with Culinary Ventures Vending. Professional service contracts were awarded for outside auditing services, and nutrition program prices were established for the upcoming school year. The Board also authorized memberships for the NJSIAA, NJTAC, and the Super Essex Conference. Personnel actions included the resignation of staff, various appointments for the 2025-2026 school year, including the reappointment of the Business Administrator, appointments of club advisors, and staff assignments for curriculum alignment and facilities support.

The Board discussed various reports including HIB monthly reports and student achievements across the Newark Tech, Payne Tech, and West Caldwell Tech campuses. Financial actions included approving budget reports, transfer of funds, authorization to release checks between meetings, payment of bills, adoption of the 2026-2027 budget, and acceptance of the annual audit and corrective action plan. Grant-related approvals involved revisions and amendments for the ESEA and Carl D. Perkins grants. Additional operational approvals included a Chromebook insurance policy, special education therapy services, commencement venue, a new schedule of fees for facility use, tuition rates for sending districts, an E-Rate technology agreement, and the purchase of a new digital ELA curriculum. Personnel matters covered resignations, retirements, new staff appointments, adjustments to previous appointments, extra teaching assignments, and the approval of long-term substitute teachers.

The Board focused on several key items including the receipt of the monthly Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) report, the acceptance of a multi-year project grant for school health and wellness, and the authorization to purchase 600 HP Chromebooks. Financial actions included the approval of a prescription plan, the entry into a partnership agreement for a construction pre-apprenticeship program, and various budgetary transfers and bill payments. The Board also reviewed and authorized multiple staff appointments for academic support programs, coach assignments across several sports, and salary level advancements, alongside the approval of multiple field trips for student development.

The Board conducted a regular meeting covering various administrative, financial, and personnel items. Key topics included the presentation of the Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) monthly report, recognition of student and club achievements, approval of financial reports, transfers of funds, and payment of bills. The Board authorized the submission of multiple grant applications, including programs for farm-to-school initiatives, AI technology, and afterschool summer activities. Furthermore, the Board approved the renewal of the district's medical plan, authorized IT overtime, appointed new staff, and amended several previous personnel resolutions regarding leaves of absence and stipends. Additionally, the Board appointed CTE department chairpersons, student work-study participants for the 2025-2026 school year, and approved several professional development requests and field trips.