Jeff Heaney

The meeting agenda included informational items such as HIB statistics, suspension reports, and fire/security drill schedules. Key discussions involved Chronic Absenteeism Corrective Action Plans for Central and Mt. Horeb Schools, and an update on Warren Township Affordable Housing. Board actions included accepting the HIB Report, approving the SSDS Summary Report, and approving an out-of-district placement change for a student. In finance, the Board approved monthly bills, accepted the January 2026 financial reports, ratified budget transfers, approved travel expenses, and authorized the application for a Local Recreational Improvement Grant for the Angelo L Tomaso School playground. Major contract awards were approved for the Woodland Parking Lot and Sidewalk/Stirling Road Crosswalk Project, the Woodland Restroom Addition Project, and playground equipment replacement purchases for Woodland and Angelo L Tomaso Schools. The 2026-2027 preschool tuition rate was set. Personnel actions included approving the employment of a new paraprofessional, several substitute teachers and a substitute speech therapist, approving various employee leave requests, approving salary guide advancements, and approving long-term substitutes. Policy actions included approving the second reading of several policies, abolishing specific policies related to sexual harassment, and approving Board Norms for Communications and Operations. The meeting concluded with a planned executive session to discuss anticipated litigation, contract negotiations, or matters of attorney-client privilege.

Key discussions during the meeting included a mid-year strategic plan update, discussion on norms for Board communication and operations, and reports from board members on external assignments. Action items involved accepting the HIB report for the period ending January 5, 2026, approving a settlement agreement, authorizing out-of-district student placements, approving payment of bills for January 2026 amounting to $3,240,792.96, and accepting the Audit for the 2024-2025 School Year. The Board also addressed personnel matters, approving employment actions, leave requests, retirements/resignations, salary guide advancements, and approving a sidebar agreement with the Warren Township Education Association regarding classroom paraprofessional positions. Furthermore, the Board authorized specific expenditures for Nonpublic Technology and Security Aid.

The meeting included a mid-year strategic plan update presentation covering student learning, well-being, and planning for growth goals. Discussions covered norms for Board communication and operations. Action items involved accepting the HIB report, approving a settlement agreement and out-of-district placements for specific students. The Board approved payment of bills for January 2026 and accepted the Board Secretary's and Treasurer's reports for December 2025, certifying that no major accounts were over-expended. Personnel actions included approving employment for a leave replacement school psychologist, substitute teachers, various staff leave requests, and accepting several retirements/resignations. Other actions included approving staff advancements on the salary guide, a sidebar agreement with the Education Association regarding paraprofessional positions, approving long-term substitutes, a staff transfer, and supervisor/extra duty stipends. The Board also conducted a first reading of revised/new policies concerning Nepotism and Sexual Harassment.

The meeting commenced with the administration of the oath of office to newly elected board members: Kevin Brodbies, Nicole Dalton, and Patricia Zhan. Key reorganization items involved making nominations and voting for the new President, Patricia Zhan, and Vice President, Miss Keller. Board members were instructed to submit their preferred appointments and chair interests for the standing committees (Curriculum and Technology; Personnel Negotiations and Communications; Finance, Operations, and Security) by the following Wednesday. Several representative and alternate positions for external bodies were appointed, including the NJSBA delegate assembly, Somerset County Educational Services Commission, Wong Hills Municipal Alliance Committee, Somerset County School Boards Association, and the Warren Township Opioid Advisory Committee. The board formally recognized and expressed deep gratitude to the Warren Police Department for their support, presenting handmade cards from students. Finally, the public session minutes from the December 22nd, 2025, board meeting were approved, with one member abstaining.

The meeting, identified as a Reorganization Meeting, involved the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected Board members following the certification of the Annual School Election results. Key reorganization actions included the election of the Board President and Vice President, approval of the 2026 meeting schedule, acknowledgment of the Board Member Code of Ethics, the readoption of the District Mission Statement, and various appointments for Board Representatives to external bodies such as the NJSBA Delegate Assembly and local committees. Action items for consideration included the approval of the HIB Report, approval of the travel reimbursement mileage rate, approval of several annual Cooperative purchasing agreements with maximum spending limits, acceptance of the Phones Free Grant funds, authorization for future employment offers, approval for staff to conduct REACH Parent Information sessions, and the approval/supersedure of several employee leave requests, as well as the abolition of one paraprofessional position and acceptance of one resignation.