Claudia Dargento

The board meeting agenda focused on a broad range of district operations, including personnel actions such as appointments, resignations, leave approvals, and sidebar agreements with the teachers' union. Educational items addressed student field trips, curriculum workshop hours, assessment schedule revisions, and a special education settlement. Operational discussions involved facility use requests, the approval of transportation agreements, and the awarding of a contract for roof replacement and architectural services for space upgrades. Financial agenda items covered the approval of budget reports, purchase orders, travel reimbursements, and a donation. Additionally, the board considered the first reading of several new and revised district policies, including those regarding nepotism and sexual harassment procedures.

The board received presentations regarding spring standardized test scores and special education services. Committee reports were provided for education and personnel, finance and facilities, and policy. Actions taken included approving personnel appointments, resignations, and leaves; authorizing student field trips, home instruction, and tuition agreements; approving facilities use requests and a comprehensive maintenance plan; contracting for architectural services for roof and HVAC upgrades; accepting a donation for a new batting cage; and conducting first readings of various district policies and regulations.

The board received reports from the Superintendent and Business Administrator, including an audit review with no findings. Committee reports covered athletics, arts, extracurricular activities, education, facilities, negotiations, and policy developments. The board approved various personnel actions, including retirements and resignations, instructional and non-instructional appointments, and sidebar agreements. Education matters included the approval of student field trips, home instruction, psychological evaluations, HIB investigation findings, and dual enrollment agreements. Operations discussions addressed facility use requests, the approval of architectural services for consumer life sciences room renovations, and the cancellation of a concession stand agreement. Finance agenda items included the acceptance of the 2024-25 audit, financial reports, bill payments, travel reimbursements, and policy readings for immunization and expulsion.

The Board engaged in several operational and educational matters. Key items included the approval of personnel actions such as resignations, retirements, and appointments of coaching staff and substitutes. Education-related approvals included district field trips, home instruction for students, a special education settlement agreement, and a dual enrollment articulation agreement with Ramapo College. The Board also approved the 2026-2027 curriculum workshops and authorized the amendment of the ESEA FY26 application. Regarding operations, the Board awarded a contract for rooftop HVAC unit upgrades to Envirocon LLC and rejected all bids for the partial roof replacement project at the high school, authorizing a re-bid. Financial actions included the approval of monthly financial reports, bills for payment, cafeteria fund expenditures, and staff work-related travel reimbursements.

The regular public meeting commenced with a closed session to discuss personnel matters, confidential legal issues, and litigation. The public session included reports from high school students on activities, and the Superintendent's report highlighted personnel actions, the 2026-27 Program of Studies, the replacement of Naviance with SCOIR for college readiness, and safety/legal submissions, including the School Safety and Security Plan Annual Review. Committee reports detailed progress on visual arts, music, special education transition planning, the Long Range Facilities Plan (including $3.6 million in technology upgrades), and health insurance fund projections. Action items involved approving personnel appointments, contract agreements (including one with RIHAA for 2025-2028), new volunteer clubs, various student field trips, home instruction details, tuition agreements, and the settlement of a special education dispute. Finance actions included approving September and October 2025 financial reports, purchase orders, bill payments, and accepting a donation for athletic training equipment. Policy section focused on the second and final reading approval of several revised and new policies.