Heidi Kaiven

The meeting commenced with the Board Re-organization, which included administering the Oath of Office to newly elected Board Members following the election results from November 3, 2015. Karen Graf was nominated and elected as President, and Anita Smith was nominated and elected as Vice-President. The 2016-2017 calendar of board meetings was adopted, along with the appointment of delegates to the New Jersey School Boards Association and the Warren County School Boards Association, and designation of a Legislative delegate. Public hearings were held regarding the Bi-Annual Reports of Violence and Vandalism and Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying for the period ending December 31, 2015, both of which were accepted. Key actions in the regular session included accepting the Superintendent's recommendation to approve the resignation for retirement of the Facilities Coordinator, approving out-of-district In-Service Experiences, and adopting several policies/regulations following a second reading, including evaluations for the Superintendent and various staff members. A first reading was held for the Nepotism policy. The Board entered executive session to discuss matters confidential due to pending or anticipated litigation and attorney-client privilege, returning to open session afterward for an Audit Presentation.

The meeting included a public hearing featuring an Audit Presentation by Anthony Ardito of Ardito & Company, LLP, which resulted in the acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with no audit recommendations noted. Financial matters approved included the Student Activity and Cafeteria Report for September 2025, various budget transfers, the Bills List for October 2025, and the Board Secretary's and Cash Reports for September 2025. In personnel actions, the Board approved a maternity leave of absence, accepted several resignations for the purpose of retirement (including a Teacher, Transportation Coordinator, and School Business Administrator), approved home instruction for a student, and approved the Professional Development Program and two staff members for long-term substitute teaching positions. The Board also approved various field trips for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years and approved the Wellness Program contract with InSite Health. Following committee reports, the Board entered and exited executive session to discuss confidential matters, and subsequently affirmed the Administration's decisions regarding three separate HIB cases.

The meeting included reorganization procedures such as appointing a temporary chair, administering the Oath of Office to newly elected members, and electing the President and Vice-President. Key agenda items involved reviewing the Code of Ethics for School Board Members, approving the minutes from December 8, 2025, and adopting the 2026-2027 meeting calendar, which includes several public hearings scheduled for the Safety Report, Budget, Annual School Appointments, and Audit reviews. A public hearing was held concerning the Superintendent's employment contract, which was subsequently approved for Keith T. Neuhs from January 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030. The Board accepted the Bi-Annual Student Safety Data Report ending December 31, 2025, noting one confirmed HIB incident. Financial actions included approving Student Activity and Cafeteria Account Reports, line item transfers, and the Bills List for December 2025, alongside accepting monthly financial reports for November 2025. Personnel actions included approving the contract for Board Counsel, accepting several resignations, approving new hires (Transportation Clerk and a long-term substitute Special Education Teacher), and approving various field trips. The Board also approved the adoption of Policy 1110 (Organizational Chart) and resolved to apply for the FY26 Local Recreation Improvement Grant. Finally, the Board entered executive session to discuss matters related to individual privacy.

Key discussions and actions included introducing candidates for an open Board seat and a presentation by the New Jersey School Boards Association. The Board reviewed and acted upon several financial items, including approving Student Activity and Cafeteria Reports, approving transfers, approving the Bills List for January 2026, and accepting the Board Secretary's and Cash Reports for December 2025. A resolution was passed to designate official newspapers for notices, effective March 1, 2026, with future notices moving exclusively to the district website. Superintendent recommendations included approving the 2026 IDEA Revision 1 for fund reallocation, a voluntary building transfer for an employee, approval for several field trips, approval of 2025-2026 personnel actions (including a substitute salary), approval of the Professional Development Program, and approving an educational student for observation hours. The Board also moved to approve the Extended School Year (ESY) 2026 Program, established the travel maximum for the 2026-2027 school year, authorized a waiver request for the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) Program for 2026-2027, and approved agreements with the Hunterdon County Educational Services Commission (HCESC) for Paraprofessionals and other services for 2026-2027. Approval for an April 2026 PTA event was also sought. The session concluded with a motion to enter executive session to discuss confidential matters, followed by a motion to return to open session and an item to appoint a new Board Member.

The meeting involved the approval of the Student Activity and Cafeteria Report for October 2025, the approval of attached financial transfers, and the approval of the Bills List for November 2025. The Board Secretary and Cash Reports for October 2025 were also approved, alongside certifications regarding line-item appropriations and fund sufficiency. Key Superintendent actions included the approval of several field trips for the 2025-2026 school year, the approval of personnel appointments including a Special Education Teacher, and the approval of the first reading of Policy 1110 -- Organizational Chart. Following an executive session concerning individual privacy matters, the Board approved the appointment of a Principal for Brass Castle School and the employment of a Transportation Coordinator, effective in 2026.