Lindsay Hickman

The Board meeting included presentations from the student government and updates on special education and student support services. Key actions involved the approval of staff leaves of absence, appointments of various certified and non-certified staff members, and approval of extra-curricular positions and professional development opportunities. Additionally, the Board reviewed and affirmed Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying reports, approved various field trips and an extended school year program, and adopted a tentative budget for the 2026-2027 school year, including specific adjustments for health care costs and maintenance reserve withdrawals. Financial reports were reviewed and expenditures for the upcoming period were approved.

The meeting covered several operational and administrative matters. Key discussion points included the presentation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for the 2024-2025 school year, which was accepted with no findings. The Superintendent's Report included monthly updates on wellness, safety drills, community correspondence, and enrollment data, along with one suspension report. Under Superintendent's Recommendations, the Board addressed curriculum matters by holding a first reading for the Gifted & Talented policy and a second reading for the Promotion & Retention policy. Approvals were sought for the submission of the NJSCI grant application, acceptance of a donation of coloring books, hosting a professional development session, and several field trips and clinical practice placements for the 2025-2026 school year. Policy matters included a first reading of the Gifted & Talented policy and a second reading of the Promotion & Retention policy, as well as approving the 2025-2026 School Safety & Security Plan. Personnel actions involved acknowledging resignations, a leave of absence, and approving several certified and non-certified staff appointments for the 2025-2026 school year, in addition to approving professional development attendance. Financial matters included certification reviews for November 2025, approval of expenditures totaling over $1.18 million across various funds, approval of scheduled fundraisers, and awarding a contract bid to Northpoint for Ruckus License & Firewall services. The meeting concluded with new business where Board members thanked outgoing members for their years of service.

The meeting commenced with the administration of the Oath of Office to newly elected Board of Education members following the election results. Key organizational actions included the unanimous election of Brandy Titus as Board President and Alison Moyer as Board Vice President. The Board designated official depositories for school funds, authorized signatories for school warrants, and designated official newspapers for legal notifications. Regular meeting dates for the ensuing year were established, with discussions noted regarding adjustments to the January and December meeting dates. Furthermore, the Board readopted existing bylaws, policies, and regulations, and approved the curriculum for all grades and current programs. A motion was passed to approve all Annual Reorganization Items A through G, with representatives for various commissions (Camden County Educational Services Commission, NJSBA, Camden County School Boards Association) to be reported back by January 8, 2026.

The meeting commenced with the approval of business not anticipated on the agenda. Following the recitation of the Mission Statement and the Code of Ethics Statement, the board opened and closed the meeting for public comment on agenda items only. Key agenda items included Superintendent's reports on monthly district activities, enrollment data, and group discussion on the Home and School Association. Under Superintendent's Recommendations, the board approved clinical practice for the 2025-2026 school year and out-of-district professional development for several staff members, including registrations for Techspo and a pension review workshop. The Finance & Facilities section included a motion, which was tabled, to approve the annual NJASA Membership for an administrator. New Business involved a request to repair the score board in the new gymnasium. The meeting concluded with adjournment.

The meeting agenda included adherence to the New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act, a roll call, the Flag Salute, and a reading of the Mission Statement and Code of Ethics. Key discussions involved committee reports from Personnel, Finance/Facilities, and Curriculum & Policy. Presentations covered curriculum and instruction updates. Personnel actions included approving resignations, acknowledging leaves of absence, and approving certified and non-certified staff members for the 2025-2026 school year, along with approving professional development expenditures. Curriculum items involved acknowledging and affirming Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying (HIB) reports, first and second readings of curriculum items (Language Arts, Gifted & Talented, Science, Social Studies), approval of clinical practice and field trips for the 2025-2026 school year, curriculum writing stipends, and an out-of-district tuition contract. Policy matters included first and second readings of various policies and the approval of the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar. Financial matters involved certifications for December 2025 and January 2026, review of financial reports, approval of expenditures (bills and claims for February 2026), review of fundraisers, and approval of transportation contracts. Facility matters included use of facilities, an Athletic Association Contract, and a contract renewal for the Summer Program. The Board also addressed miscellaneous items, including a survey administration between the NJ Dept of Health and Montclair State University, and approved the renewal of the MOA between BCS and the Berlin PD and the use of the employee sick bank from addendum items. The Board entered into closed session to discuss negotiations, personnel, legal matters, security, student matters, and litigation.