Christopher Baldassano

The event served as an introduction for the new superintendent, who presented his vision and direction for the school district. Key topics included a strong commitment to student success, the importance of maintaining high academic and performance standards, the integration of financial literacy programs for students, and the exploration of pre-apprenticeship programs to better prepare students for post-secondary career and educational opportunities.

The strategic plan for Piscataway Township School District outlines a roadmap to prepare students to become confident, productive members of a global society by developing their unique abilities in an environment aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards. The plan is structured around four strategic goals: enhancing student achievement and 21st-century life skills, ensuring equitable access to resources for all students, increasing community engagement and partnerships, and building a dynamic educational team through recruitment, mentorship, and professional development.

The special meeting included a call to order followed by the Pledge to the Flag and a roll call. A notification announcement confirmed compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act requirements, which were met by posting notices, emailing newspapers, and filing with the Municipal Clerk on December 24, 2025. The public session included a segment dedicated to Board Recertification Training. The meeting concluded with a period for public comments from the floor, where individuals were required to state their name and address, with comments limited to three minutes, before the session was adjourned.

The meeting commenced with an executive session for discussions concerning personnel matters, litigation, and HIB reports, followed by a reconvening to public session. Key reports included the Superintendent highlighting Piscataway High School's second consecutive AP Honor Roll status, a music teacher winning the NFHS Outstanding Music Educator Award, and the Education Foundation's donation of over $18,000 to eight schools. The Board also noted administrative visits to SHI regarding AI in academics. Reports also covered student presentations, recent reorganization meeting highlights including staff changes and appointments, and recognition of various student achievements in athletics, arts, and academics. Personnel actions involved approving resignations, appointments for staff and extra duty contracts, and changes in assignment or leave status for several employees. Financial matters included the approval of January 2026 disbursements, Secretary's/Transfer/Cash Reconciliation Reports for December 2025, approval for non-public school technology purchases, designation of a professional services contract for environmental engineering, and awarding the bid for the Quibbletown Middle School PV System Removal and Decommissioning, funded via capital reserve withdrawal. The Board also approved a Memorandum of Agreement with Rutgers for the use of their athletic center for the 2026 Graduation and declared obsolete equipment for disposal. The Board accepted a policy (Policy 0142.1 Nepotism) on first reading and authorized applications for several grants, including ESEA carryover funds, IDEA amendment, Climate Literacy Innovation Opportunity, Elevating High-Quality Work-Based Learning, and Local Recreation Improvement grants. Finally, several curricular field trips were approved.

The meeting commenced with the administration of the Oath of Office to three newly elected members and the presentation of results from the November 4, 2025, annual school election. Key organizational actions included the election of Nancy Salgado-Cowan as President and Ms. Cherry as Vice President, and the re-establishment of current Board Committees. Reorganization resolutions involved the readoption of all current policies, procedures, regulations, curricula, services, programs, and the adoption of the New Jersey School Boards Association Member Code of Ethics. The Board held an executive session to review personnel matters, litigation, and HIB reports, reconvening into public session afterward. Discussions included student presentations on Engineering Courses and reports from student representatives. The Superintendent's report highlighted various student achievements, staff recognitions, and professional development, including topics such as the Science Symposium, AP Tutoring, Future Educators inspiring third graders, and an AI conference. Personnel actions covered resignations, appointments (including new teachers and acting deans), changes in status (medical leaves and assignment changes), and salary adjustments due to minimum wage increases. Financial matters included the approval of monthly disbursements for December 2025, approval of Secretary's/Transfer/Cash Reconciliation Reports for November 2025, approval of bid project change orders, and the award of a base bid, including alternates, for Pre-K Alterations at Fellowship Farms School to Northeastern Interior Services, LLC totaling $3,721,000. The Board also authorized withdrawals from the capital reserve fund for Photovoltaic Installations, Roofing Replacement at Quibbletown Middle School, and the local share for the Pre-K Alterations project. Curriculum actions involved authorizing applications for the Artificial Intelligence Technology Grant and the Literacy Initiative for Families and Thriving Communities (LIFT) grant, alongside the approval of numerous student field trips for the spring semester. Pupil services approved an out-of-district placement and tuition contracts for homeless/foster children. Administrative actions included affirming HIB report recommendations from the previous month and recognizing January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month.