Coleen Gallagher Butler

This document presents the Academic Calendar for The Somerset Hills School District for the 2025-2026 school year. It comprehensively outlines the schedule for student attendance days, professional development days for staff, and lists all observed holidays, recesses, and early dismissal days. The calendar also details provisions for emergency make-up days, providing a complete operational framework for the academic year.

The meeting included an Executive Session followed by a Regular Public Meeting. Key discussions covered the 2025-2026 District Goals focusing on academics, facilities, community integration, and culture/climate. The Superintendent reported on the recognition of educators and students involved in the Crimson journalism program for achieving international and state distinctions. The Board addressed personnel matters, including the approval of certified staff appointments, extension of an interim administrator's appointment, changes to leave of absence, rescinding an athletic position, approving several dual enrollment stipend positions, and a title change for the Maintenance Foreman position. Business Operations included approval of monthly financial reports, budget transfers, payment of bills for November and December 2025, approval of Special Education providers and schools, acceptance of several donations, and approval of participation in the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing System. The Curriculum Committee discussed plans to move to a cell phone-free, bell-to-bell policy at Bernards High School (BHS) in September 2026, including a move to a one-to-one device model, and reviewed the evolution and next steps for the transitional bilingual program at Bedwell. The Policy Committee addressed the upcoming implementation of the Freedom to Read Act and conducted first readings for new policies regarding Resource Materials and Library Material, and second readings for Food Services and Lice Policies. Student Services discussed school start times, noting that a train station shuttle is not feasible, and reviewed updates on the BHS School Leadership Team work and the ongoing survey process. The Board reviewed and upheld findings for several Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) cases.

The Reorganization Meeting commenced with the administration of the Oath of Office to new Board Members, followed by the seating of these members. Key organizational procedures included the nomination and election of the Board President and Vice President. Several organizational action items were approved by roll call vote, including the adoption of the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, re-adoption of all current Board Policies and By-Laws, and re-adoption of curriculum and district resource lists. Board Committee assignments were re-established, and authorized signatures for warrants were approved. The Board also received annual training sessions on Ethics and Social Media for Board Members. The meeting concluded with a period for public comment and an Executive Session to discuss Attorney-Client Privilege and Potential Litigation.

The Somerset Hills School District's District-wide Facilities Renovation Program, outlined in this public presentation, seeks voter approval through a referendum on March 10, 2026. The program aims to enhance learning environments, bolster student and staff safety, and modernize operational infrastructure across all school facilities. Key initiatives include educational classroom renovations, capital improvements, and security upgrades, strategically financed over a 20-year bond to achieve a reduced tax impact for the community, with project implementation commencing in summer 2026.

This reorganization meeting covered several organizational procedures mandated by law. Key discussions included administering the Oath of Office to new and returning members, officially seating new board members following the annual school election results, and the nomination and election of the Board President and Vice President. Furthermore, the Board addressed several organizational action items by re-adopting the Code of Ethics, current Board Policies and By-Laws, existing Curriculum, and district tradebooks, software, and media lists. Committee assignments were re-established, and authorized signatures for various financial warrants were approved. The agenda also allocated time for board training sessions on annual ethics and social media for board members, public comment, and concluded with an executive session to discuss Attorney-Client Privilege and Potential Litigation.