Richard Carlson

The meeting agenda covered the organization of the Board, including administering the Oath of Office to newly elected members and conducting nominations and elections for Board President and Vice President. Discussions and potential actions spanned multiple areas, including curriculum and instruction, focusing on approving travel and recommending a Corrective Action Plan for addressing chronic student absenteeism across several schools. Personnel matters involved accepting resignations/retirements, approving leaves of absence, and noting staff array changes due to LOAs. The Board also addressed policy updates, approving the second reading and adoption of several policies and regulations, and reviewed finance items such as designating official depositories, adopting Robert's Rules of Order, approving the Doctrine of Necessity resolution, recognizing January 2026 as School Board Recognition Month, accepting the December 2025 financial reports, and reviewing tuition agreements for out-of-district placements.

The Committee of the Whole meeting agenda included discussions on student chronic absenteeism via a corrective action plan update. Key action items addressed curriculum and instruction, specifically approving various staff travel expenditures and several field trips for the 2025-2026 school year, including trips for Science Bowl, Academic Bowls, Winterguard Championship, a Chemistry/Physics Planetarium Visit, and a 3rd-grade moving up trip. Student Services addressed approving bedside instruction for two students. The Personnel section involved appointments for a Special Education Teacher and a School Bus/Van Driver, staff array changes due to Leaves of Absence (LOA), and administrative leaves with and without pay. Policy reviewed first readings for two policies concerning Board Member Number and Term, and Procurement Procedures for School Nutrition Programs. Finance actions included accepting $250,000 in grant funds for the Recovery High School Access Project, approving a Commodity Resale Agreement with Monmouth County, accepting the January 2026 Board Secretary's and Treasurer's Reports, approving appropriation transfers and bills, revising out-of-district tuition, and reviewing the February 2026 District Enrollment Report and January 2026 Fire and Evacuation Drills.

The Board convened in Executive Session for discussions regarding Privacy, Personnel Matters, and Legal Advice before moving to the open session. Key agenda items included the approval of various meeting minutes from previous dates, acceptance of numerous correspondence items, the Superintendent's report featuring a Tenure Presentation, and the Board President's recognition of Vice President Tara Martinez for her service. The Student Representative provided updates on activities across all schools, including fundraisers, spirit weeks, and academic achievements. Curriculum and Instruction actions involved the approval of staff travel, numerous field trips for the 2025-2026 school year, approval of grants from the Matawan-Aberdeen Educational Foundation, and the recommendation to apply for a $50,000 Department of Human Services grant for the K.E.Y.S. Academy Recovery High School. Student Services included approving bedside instruction for multiple students and accepting a $2,500 grant from Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools. Personnel actions covered resignations, retirements, leaves of absence (including maternity and medical leaves), new hires, extra-curricular appointments, and staff array changes, in addition to approving the HIB report summary. The Board conducted first and second readings and adoptions of several policies. Finance actions included the certification of the November 2025 financial reports, approval of appropriation transfers, approval of bills paid totaling over $5 million, acceptance of the 2024-2025 Annual Audit with no findings, approval of out-of-district tuition, amendment to substitute staffing service rates due to minimum wage changes, acceptance of revised ESEA Consolidated Formula Sub grant allocations, authorization to use Competitive Contracting for Custodial and Management Services, approval of the December 2025 Enrollment Report, and acceptance of several donations for student activities and school needs. The meeting concluded after a second Executive Session.

The meeting commenced with adherence to the New Jersey Open Public Meeting Law, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and a quorum call. A motion was passed to enter executive session to discuss privacy, personal matters, and legal advice. Key discussion points in the public session included the successful ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new high school fitness court, with thanks extended to the Board for their support, and details on funding secured through a local recreation grant. The Superintendent provided updates regarding an upcoming community session on November 24th concerning the scope, rationale, timeline, and introduction of the team for the redistricting project due to enrollment growth. Student representative reports covered activities at various schools, including the fitness court, sports achievements, ongoing food drives, and upcoming testing. The Board considered actions under Curriculum and Instruction, including travel approvals, renewal of agreements with local police departments, and various field trips. Student Services required approvals for out-of-district placements, bedside instruction, YMCA pool usage, and participation in professional development series for staff, noting the unique opportunity selected districts received. Personnel actions involved reviewing resignations, leaves of absence, appointments, extracurricular activities staffing, and a HIP report. Finally, the Policy segment involved first reads and a second read/adoption for several policies, including discussion on the doctrine of necessity.

The agenda for this Regular Action Meeting included the Superintendent's Report, which covered Cliffwood Elementary School Highlights and Recognitions, and an update on the Corrective Action Plan for Addressing Student Chronic Absenteeism affecting multiple schools using SY24-25 data. Key actions involved approving a Corrective Action Plan for chronic absenteeism and approving field trips, including one for 7th and 8th-grade Science Bowl Club Students to Princeton, NJ. Student Services addressed approvals for bedside instruction for several students and an out-of-district placement for one student at Rutgers Day School. The Personnel section detailed resignations, leaves of absence, new hires for Bus/Van Drivers, salary adjustments for several staff members, and numerous appointments/stipends for extra-curricular activities (Athletic and Non-Athletic). The Finance section involved certifying the December 2025 financial reports, approving bills paid totaling $4,745,990.41, approving revised out-of-district tuition costs, approving tuition for new students entering the KEYS Program, and reviewing the January 2026 District Enrollment Report. Additionally, the report on Fire and Evacuation Drills conducted in December 2025 was presented.