Jennifer Aquino

This document outlines the 2026 Board Goals for the Franklin Township School District, focusing on five key areas. These include refocusing on budget accountability and developing a long-term financial plan, enhancing community engagement and bolstering district trust, improving board member engagement and training, overhauling the district policy book and by-laws, and ensuring the completion of the Chief School Administrator's evaluation. The plan aims to strengthen financial health, transparency, governance, and community relations.

The meeting commenced with a call to order and a statement confirming adequate notice was provided on January 8, 2026. The Board entered an Executive Session to discuss personnel and legal matters for approximately 30 minutes, reconvening to public session. A presentation was given on the Student Safety Data System (SSDS). Key actions included approving the Student Safety Data System (SSDS) presentation, the waiver of requirements for the Special Education Medicaid Initiative (SEMI) for the 2026-2027 school year, a contract for supplemental nursing staff through Best Choice Home Care, LLC, and the disposal of outdated Spanish textbooks. The Chief School Administrator's report covered recent spelling bee results, field trips, ongoing benchmark assessments, and updates on the preschool lottery and Kindergarten registration. The School Business Administrator's report addressed finance and facilities, including site evaluations by DRG Architects for building repointing and elevator condition, and concerns regarding a projected loss in the food service program. The Finance and Facilities committee approved several items, including the acceptance of December 2025 Financial Reports, approval of Budget Transfers for December 2025 (totaling $863,904.72 in bills paid), and approval for the application for a Local Recreation Improvement Grant for Fitness Trail Stations. The Curriculum and Education section approved professional day requests and waived SEMI requirements. The Policy and Personnel section approved staff appointments, accepted employee resignations, and approved volunteers and home instructors. Finally, the Board voted to postpone the advertisement for the Request for Proposal for the New Generator project.

The meeting included an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters. Key discussion points covered the proposed amendment to the superintendent's contract regarding professional development activities, which remains within the $3,200 annual cost limit. The board also addressed several financial and operational items, including reviewing the current year's revenue and expenditure projections, which indicate a positive financial standing. Business administrator resolutions covered routine items, an educational service contract with Public School Services, an agreement with the Hunter County Educational Service Commission, approving an architect for facility condition assessment, and a standby transportation contract with Warren County. A new resolution addressed an alternate use agreement for the new autism program lacking a bathroom facility. Major budgetary discussions focused on health benefit increases (19% locally vs. 31% for the state plan), the potential need for a tax levy increase to cover these costs, the recommendation to replace HVAC unit number six using capital reserves, a consideration to raise Pay-to-Play fees from $100 to $250, and budgeting for new mandated and necessary personnel positions, including a fourth-grade teacher, a Spanish ML teacher, an autistic teacher, a special education preschool teacher, and several para-professionals. Additionally, the administration is gathering quotes for projector and screen replacements.

The meeting included discussions on the Pledge of Allegiance and compliance with open public meetings act notice requirements, noting the posting date of January 19th, 2026. Key agenda items involved entering an executive session to discuss personnel and legal matters. A report on student safety data systems (SSDS) and HIP data for September through December detailed four therapeutic holds, with one unfounded investigation related to HIB. Prevention and training initiatives such as Week of Respect, Red Ribbon Week, and Handle with Care were reviewed. In the finance and facilities report, five resolutions were presented, including financial reports, bill list, use of facilities, and applying for a local recreational grant, which previously funded a track and fitness station. Projections showed good revenue and expenditure status through June 30th. The board also discussed reports from architects concerning repointing/foundation work on the 1937 building section and an elevator inspection. A fire inspector noted one violation related to Teacher of the Year decorations, which was subsequently addressed. The food service program is projecting an $8,600 loss due to decisions to offer healthier food options, which the board plans to review with the Education and Curriculum Committee. Furthermore, a significant portion of the discussion focused on changes to public notice requirements effective March 1st, moving away from newspaper publication to centralized state website postings, which is anticipated to cost money initially. Finally, the President's Report addressed facility infrastructure problems, leading to the FNF committee seeking to commission engineers for a comprehensive assessment report to develop a new Long Range Facilities Plan (LRFP).

The meeting included a presentation from H2M Architects regarding bond referendum projects. Key discussions involved updates on parking lot improvements, including plans to resolve vehicle queue buildup on Wevertown Road and separate bus and car traffic loops, with an estimated budget of $1.1 million. The presentation also covered the project to install five new PreK restrooms, which was awarded for $550,000 with both alternates, scheduled to begin construction after the current school year ends. Furthermore, an update on the backup generator project was provided, detailing its capability to power the entire building service during an outage, with an estimated budget of $790, budget coordination with the parking lot project is a priority. Board members engaged in discussions regarding potential cost-saving alternatives for the parking lot project by reversing traffic flow and inquired about the expected duration of generator operation following a power outage.