Joel Timothy Brown

The agenda for the meeting included the formal opening, including the Call to Order, Roll Call, Flag Salute, and Adoption of the Agenda. A key segment was dedicated to recognizing students as Stellar Comets for February 2026 across multiple schools. The agenda included provisions for recessing into Executive Session, specifically noting personnel issues, including the Superintendent Search. Action items covered personnel matters such as resignations, salary adjustments, sabbatical approvals, medical leaves, retirements, new hires, and stipends for summer programs. Approvals were sought for workshops, financial reports for January 2026, payment of March 2026 regular/addendum bills and February 2026 payroll, a line-item transfer for February 2026, and acceptance of a donation and a competitive grant award. The Curriculum Committee report included approvals for parent information sessions, grade-level trips, DIAL testing, club participation, and contracts for hospital-based education, ESY OT, and ESY PT services. The Policy Committee recommended several policies for a second reading. The Operations Committee agenda sought approval for various Facility Usage Requests spanning multiple months and the Disposal of Property (Chromebooks). Public comments were scheduled before and after the potential executive sessions.

The meeting agenda outlined several procedural steps, including the adherence to the Open Public Meetings Act and roll call to establish a quorum. Key discussion points involved the adoption of the agenda, opening the floor for public comments limited to five minutes per speaker, and outlining the process for entering into a closed executive session. The executive session was slated to address confidential matters such as personnel issues, specifically Superintendent Interviews, matters involving potential litigation, real property/public fund investment, negotiations, and matters concerning personal confidentiality rights or unwarranted invasion of privacy. The agenda also noted delegate appointments for NJSBA and GCSBA, and concluded with an adjournment recommendation.

The meeting covered reports from the Treasurer and Fundraising Officer. Old business included detailed feedback on the Hill Wreath Making Event, Sweets with Santa, and Holiday Shops, with financial outcomes for the latter totaling $36,630.84 in gross sales, resulting in a net profit of $6,100 after expenses. Discussions also addressed the Winter Room Parent Party feedback and Disney on Ice ticket sales, suggesting an increase in ticket allocation for future events. New business focused on upcoming fundraising events, including the Boosterthon contract for Stratton next year, the Clifford Readathon, and the Hill Neon Nineties Homegrownathon, along with scheduling teacher treats for St. Patrick's Day and considering themes for the Spring Book Fair. A suggestion was made to move the Cocoa Bar event to late January.

The meeting began with the official opening, roll call confirming a quorum, flag salute, and adoption of the agenda. Key presentations included the recognition of Stellar Comets for December 2025, Teacher of the Year, and Educational Support Person of the Year, alongside the recognition of retired Board members. A Fiscal Year 2025 Audit Analysis was presented. The Board recessed into executive session to discuss personnel issues, specifically superintendent search matters, and returned to regular session. Action items covered personnel recommendations, including appointments, lane changes, and retirements, approval of stipends and workshops, payment of January 2026 regular bills and December 2025 payroll, approval of the December 2025 Line-Item Transfer, acceptance of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for FY 2025, and the approval of an amended resolution to appropriate $292,468 in capital reserve funds for the cooling tower upgrade at Walter Hill School. Curriculum and Policy committees reported on HIB reports, Title I Stakeholder Collaboration Meetings, Harker After School programs, an internet safety presentation, a G&T fundraiser, a Sidebar Agreement with the SWEA, and the second reading of three policies. The Operations committee noted plans for future meetings. Public comment included a question regarding the use of budget excess funds to hire additional Paraprofessionals.

Discussions covered old business items, including the finalization of School Kits and updates on the Book Fair Scholastic Dollars, Trunk or Treat results, and concerns regarding fall parties from principals. New business focused heavily on reports and upcoming fundraising events. The Treasurer and Fundraising Officer reports detailed Boosterthon and the initial Fundraising Committee Meeting, along with a schedule of future activities such as Painting with Paccione, Stray Dog for XMAS presentation, and setup/execution of Treats with Santa and Friends. Other topics included PTO Apparel Sales (39 items ordered), Stray Dog book sales, coordination for Disney on Ice flyers, Project Elf family details, planning for Holiday Shops (12/5-12/12), the Hill Wreath Making event, and details for the Sweets with Santa event. The board also discussed sweet treats/cocoa bars, Santa Visits at Stratton and Clifford, the Kingsway Scholarship, and the Wizards event, as well as considering a theme for the Spring Book fair.