Mario Tridente

The board discussed and addressed several operational and financial matters, including the evaluation of the superintendent, authorization for year-end fiscal activities, and the approval of contracts with Cape May County Technical High School and itinerant service agreements. Key actions included the approval of capital and maintenance reserve transfers, the issuance of an RFP for food service management, the confirmation of summer working hours for staff, and appointments of administrative and teaching personnel. Additionally, the meeting covered enrollment updates, security and fire drill reports, and the establishment of the board meeting schedule for the upcoming academic year.

The board meeting included committee reports on curriculum, facilities, extracurricular, policy, and finance. Key actions involved the approval of district applications for federal and state funding, adoption of a tax levy payment schedule, and the selection of a health benefits broker. The board also reviewed and approved a food service management company contract, addressed a corrective action plan for food service procurement, and approved teacher mentor appointments and summer programming. Additionally, the board moved to adopt several new and revised policies and regulations regarding staff conduct, resource materials, and public complaints.

This plan outlines the rationale for Crest Memorial School's transition from a choice model to a tuition-based model. The transition is proposed to protect educational richness, restore financial stability, and address real demand from families. Key justifications for this change include addressing declining class sizes that impact educational quality, mitigating a potential financial cliff due to decreasing enrollment, meeting existing demand from out-of-district families, and improving financial independence through competitive tuition rates.

The board meeting included a budget presentation, a tuition presentation, and the adoption of the 2026-2027 school district budget. Key approvals included the use of school facilities for various camps and business operations, staff travel for a professional conference, and various school policies and programs for the upcoming school year. The board also addressed personnel appointments, including paraprofessional hires and the appointment of key district roles for the upcoming school year. Additionally, the board approved updates to teacher and principal observation models and the district enrollment numbers were reviewed.

The meeting commenced with a Work Session covering the administration of the Oath of Office to Eileen Gianakopoulos, followed by committee reports including Curriculum, Facilities, Extracurricular, Policy, Finance, and Superintendent Spotlight. The Regular Session included reports from the Business Administrator and Superintendent, and a resolution for entering executive session to discuss confidential matters such as student confidentiality, personnel/negotiations, litigation, or confidential financial items. Business matters addressed included the certification of financial reports for February, approval of bill payments for March 2026, approval of tuition and aide services contracts with Cape May County Special Services School District, and approval of the issuance of an RFP for a food service management contract. Key fiscal actions included the adoption of the 2026-2027 School District Budget, totaling $12,414,882, which involved a $1,364,862 withdrawal from Capital Reserves for HVAC loan repayment and media library upgrades. The Superintendent's report covered enrollment data, approval of spring sports coaches, approval of staff maternity leave, retirement of Theresa Meyer, approval of board committees for 2026, revision of the 2025/2026 school calendar to account for snow days, and approval of the 2026/2027 School Year Calendar, as well as approval for several field trips.