Michael Wowkun

The Board meeting included reports from principals and the superintendent, and addressed several administrative and financial items. Key actions included the acknowledgment of emergency bus evacuation drills, the acceptance of monetary and equipment donations for the Science Olympiad team, and the passage of a resolution urging relief from rising public school employee health-care costs. The Board approved agreements with Ramapo College for a teacher assistant program and ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the Closter Education Association. Additionally, the Board handled staff coursework approvals, various field trips, financial reports, the renewal of the dental insurance policy, and a tax levy schedule. Personnel actions included staff resignations, appointments for various teaching positions, substitute approvals, professional development programs, and a leave of absence request.

The meeting featured a presentation of the 2026-2027 district budget and included approvals for various educational and operational items. Key actions included the acceptance of monetary donations for the Science Olympiad team, approval of student workplace learning experiences, staff coursework, and professional development conferences. The board authorized capital project withdrawals for school facility improvements, such as HVAC and infrastructure upgrades, and approved contracts for professional architectural services and network infrastructure. Additionally, the board approved technology purchases, the adoption of handwriting workbooks, and personnel appointments including long-term leave replacements, interim staff, and substitute hires.

The Board of Education held a meeting to review and adopt the annual district budget for the 26-27 school year. Key discussion topics included district academic achievements, the status of 2023 bond referendum projects, enrollment trends, and the strategic allocation of funds for staffing, instructional resources, technology, and facilities maintenance. The presentation detailed the tax impact, shared service agreements for operational savings, and the overall composition of the budget across various funds, emphasizing fiscal responsibility.

The board meeting agenda included several items for approval, such as the affirmation of HIB incident decisions, the acceptance of a FOCUS grant, and the receipt of donated tennis equipment. Academic and administrative items included approval for staff coursework, authorization for attendance at the NJ School Boards Conference, payment of bills, continuation of special education paraprofessional support, and the renewal of an athletic transportation contract. Personnel actions addressed leaves of absence, staff resignations and retirements, appointment of a clinical intern, approval of a new job description, termination of an employee, and the hiring of substitute staff.

The Board discussed various educational and operational matters, including the affirmation of Superintendent decisions regarding Harassment, Intimidation or Bullying (HIB) incidents, the approval of student fundraisers, and the acceptance of a book donation. The curriculum committee reviewed and approved multiple student field trips for the upcoming months. Financial approvals included the monthly financial reports, payment of bills, establishing special services and tuition rates for the upcoming school year, and participation in the LEAP Implementation Grant. Additionally, the Board finalized the closeout of several facility improvement projects, including boiler replacements and HVAC upgrades, and addressed personnel actions, such as leaves of absence, staff appointments, substitute approvals, and a resignation.