Michael J. Cappiello

The meeting included the recognition of Black History Month and the approval of student internships. Key policy revisions were adopted regarding nepotism, sexual harassment, resource materials, and school safety. The Board approved various personnel actions, including resignations, retirements, and new appointments for administrative roles such as the Acting Business Administrator and Temporary Purchasing Agent. Financial matters, including budgetary transfers, payroll approval, and professional development expenditures were discussed. Additionally, the Board authorized emergency heating system repairs, technology supply acquisitions, and a school lockdown system. Reports on fire drills, HIB incidents, and a facilities update regarding a recent pipe burst were also provided.

The Board of Education meeting covered a wide array of educational and administrative items. Key discussions included the approval of the 2025-2026 school calendar, student internships for the 2026-2027 school year, and the adoption of various revised policies and regulations regarding nepotism, sexual harassment, and library materials. The Board also addressed personnel items such as leaves of absence, new hires, and extracurricular assignments. Financial business involved budgetary transfers, approval of payroll and bills, and the presentation of the 2026-2027 proposed budget and related resolutions for school estimates. Additionally, the Board authorized several facility-related purchases, including carpentry and automotive equipment, and network support for the Innovation Magnet School. Other motions included the acceptance of student safety data and HIB reports, and the support of a policy prohibiting civil immigration enforcement on county property.

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the recognition of recipients for the Governor's Award for Outstanding Educator of the Year. The Board approved student handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year, approved the first reading of a policy revision, and adopted new textbooks for the Certified Medical Assisting Curriculum. Several personnel actions were approved, including resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, new hires, transfers, and extracurricular appointments. Finance items involved the presentation of the Auditor's Report, approval of budgetary transfers, acceptance of the Secretary and Treasurer's financial reports as of November 30, 2025, and approval of bills and payrolls for December 2025. The Board also approved field trip requests and professional development/travel expenses. Furthermore, the Board recognized January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month, accepted the 2024-2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (A.C.F.R.), authorized the sale of surplus property via online auction, and approved several facility uses. Additional actions included approving amended personnel appointments for Federal Entitlement Programs, appointing a Right to Know Consultant, approving a Memorandum of Agreement with Middlesex College for an Automotive Technology Program, approving the purchase of instructional services from Proximity Learning, awarding a bid for Portable Training Unit HVAC, approving a budgetary exception for an assistant general manager in Food Service, and awarding purchases for technology supplies to SHI, MRA International, and Apple. A district cyber security solution purchase was awarded to Eastern DataComm, and Change Orders for Capital Projects were approved. The Board accepted the Fire Drills/Security Drills report and the Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) Incident Report, affirming previous cases. Following an executive session, the Board upheld the superintendent's recommendation for the long-term suspension of one student. The Board unanimously approved all items on the consent agenda.

The meeting agenda included several key items. Discussions covered the Governor's Award for Outstanding Educator of the Year recipients, with formal recognition scheduled for May. Educational items involved the approval of Adult Student Handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year and the first reading of a revision to Policy 5115. Textbook adoptions for the Certified Medical Assisting Curriculum were also addressed. Personnel actions included approvals for resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, new hires (including substitutes and a custodian), transfers, salary corrections, and various extracurricular/extra pay assignments for athletic and non-athletic activities, as well as grant-funded program appointments. Financial matters included the presentation of the ACFR/Audit Report, approval of budgetary transfers, certification of financial reports, and approval for the payment of bills and payroll amounts totaling over $7.1 million for December 2025 expenses. Other business involved approving field trip requests, professional development/travel expenses, recognizing January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month, approving the sale of surplus property via online auction, authorizing facility use requests, approving the appointment of a Right to Know Consultant, approving a Memorandum of Agreement with Middlesex College for an Automotive Technology Program, purchasing live instructional services from Proximity Learning, awarding contracts for a Portable Training Unit HVAC, approving a budgetary exception for a Food Service Management Company position, awarding technology supply purchases to SHI and MRA International, awarding a contract for a district cyber security solution, and approving change orders for capital projects. The board also accepted fire/security drills and the Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) Incident Report.

Key actions taken during the meeting included the approval of student internships for the 2025-2026 school year, and numerous personnel actions such as accepting resignations, retirements, leaves of absence, and approving new hires, transfers, and extracurricular assignments. The Board also approved a minimum wage increase for Student Performing Arts/Culinary Arts Technicians, established eligibility for the Paid Internship Program, and approved budgetary transfers and the Secretary and Treasurer reports, certifying that no line item accounts were over-encumbered. Financial approvals included bills and payroll payments totaling over $8.8 million, additional field trip requests, and professional development/travel expenses. Further resolutions involved authorizing participation in the Somerset County Cooperative Pricing System, approving the sale of surplus property via online auction, authorizing facility use by outside organizations, and awarding purchases for furniture, point of sale systems, and technology supplies. Additionally, the Board accepted the updated property appraisal report, approved technology maintenance services, and approved change orders for capital projects. The meeting concluded with the acceptance of Fire Drills/Security Drills reports and the acceptance/affirmation of Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) Incident Reports.