Matthew Bergh

The meeting began with the call to order and establishment of a quorum, followed by an executive session to discuss legal, personnel, and student matters. Upon returning to open session, the board voted to return from the closed session. Key agenda items included the reading of the public meeting notice, approval of minutes from the closed and open public session meetings held on November 20th, and the presentation and recognition portion of the meeting. The session featured a performance by the Vernon Township High School Meister Singers, an a cappella ensemble, and a formal recognition and resolution honoring board member Joseph A. Sweeney for his 28 years of service upon his retirement. The board also began reading proclamations to recognize several other retirees of the Vernon Township School District.

The meeting included discussions and presentations on various topics. The Glen Meadow Middle School students presented their 21st-century community learning center after-school program, highlighting academic support, STEM workshops, art, culinary activities, physical education, and family engagement. There was also a recognition of Carl Contino for his service to the board.

The board convened to discuss the budget, focusing on general items. A suggestion was made to contact Steve directly for specific questions about individual line items, rather than using the meeting for detailed inquiries. The board also explored the possibility of undertaking projects and cost-saving measures, which could be discussed with relevant personnel before being presented to the board. Minor budget changes were made, positively impacting the tax levy, including projects to be paid out of the capital reserve. The discussion also covered the potential replacement of boilers and the purchase or rental of AC units.

The Vernon Township Board of Education held a combined meeting to discuss several key items. The board addressed the opening of submitted proposals for a forensic audit and agreed to postpone it until 7:15 PM. They approved the organizational chart effective July 1st, 2023, which includes the elimination of the assistant superintendent position and the addition of a Director of Human Resources position. The board also discussed public participation, including concerns about after-school activity buses, paper availability in schools, class sizes, and student enrollment numbers. Additionally, they reviewed proposals for the forensic audit from Eisner Amper and Nissavachia, deciding to invite both firms to present at the next meeting.

The Vernon Township Board of Education held a public meeting where they entered a closed session to discuss legal and personnel matters before returning to the open session. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance and acknowledged the presence of board members. A special presentation was given by representatives from Cedar Mountain, highlighting the school's positive attributes such as kind teachers, new friendships, new play materials, and a supportive SCA. The presentation also covered academic programs like Nova math, foundations, and specials like gym, music, and art. Additional topics included a sensory wall, a new behavior program called Cedar Mountain Rocks, and upcoming events like family math night and a visit from a therapy dog.