Deptford Township Public School District

The agenda for this meeting included a VFW "Patriot's Pen" Recognition presentation. Reports were scheduled from the Superintendent and various committees (Policy, Personnel, Curriculum, Finance, Buildings and Grounds, Township Liaison, Safety, Transportation, Board Goals, and Superintendent's Evaluation). A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to an Executive Session to discuss matters exempted from the public, specifically Residency/Legal Matters. The Personnel section involved action on numerous items, including retirements, resignations, terminations, approval of several leaves of absence (medical, maternity, caregiver), employee transfers, and the employment of new paraprofessionals, service aides, bus drivers, and substitute teachers. Other personnel actions included rescinding a previous motion, revising a stipend approval, promotions, and approval for professional development opportunities, educational reimbursements, and changes in degree status. The Curriculum section addressed approval for participation in the Rowan University Education Expo, Renaissance professional development sessions, and the 2024-2027 English Language Learner Three-Year Plan Program. Student matters involved approvals for transition programs, spring sports schedules, Saturday Attendance Recovery sessions, and several student withdrawals for homeschooling. Multiple field trips and district assemblies were also approved, alongside tuition agreements with several charter schools. The Finance section included transfers, reports, changes to Spartan Care rates, approval for the disposal of damaged equipment, renewal of licenses and contracts, advertising for an auditor RFP, and appointing the Board Solicitor. Finally, the Superintendent recommended approval for the payment of bills totaling over $12.7 million across various funds.

The meeting included a VFW "Patriot's Pen" Recognition presentation. Key personnel actions approved included retirements, resignations, terminations, leaves of absence, and various employment actions such as hiring new paraprofessionals, service aides, and bus drivers, along with promotions and professional development approvals. The Board also approved updated secretary transfers and rescinded a prior motion. Curriculum items involved approval for participation in the Rowan University Education Expo, engaging Renaissance for professional development sessions, and adopting the 2024-2027 English Language Learner Three-Year Plan Program. Student matters included approving the Deptford Middle School Transition Program Proposal, Spring Sports Schedules, authorizing Saturday Attendance Recovery, approving several student withdrawals for homeschooling, approving various field trips, district assemblies, and tuition agreements with charter schools. In Finance, transfers for December 2025 were approved, along with financial reports, rate changes for Spartan Care positions, renewal of the Ed Data Supply Procurement System License, a 3-year Comcast contract renewal, advertising for an Auditor RFP, disposal of broken equipment, and appointment of the Board Solicitor. Discussion in New Business covered the number of Board committees and concerns about committee assignments and handicap parking.

The meeting began with the administration of the oath of office to the newly elected board members following the official election results review. Key procedural actions included the nomination and election of the Board President, Mr. McKenna, and the Vice President, Mr. Getsinger. Additionally, executive member appointments were made for delegates to the New Jersey School Boards Association and the Gloucester County School Boards Association. During the public portion, attendees raised concerns regarding the hiring process for an additional instructor and emphasized the need for strengthened programs and increased collaboration in special education. The Board passed a resolution to enter a closed session to discuss pending or anticipated litigation or contract negotiation related to professional services, reconvening into public session afterward.

The agenda for the regular meeting included presentations, committee reports, and an executive session authorized to discuss district personnel matters exempt from public disclosure. Key personnel actions included accepting resignations, approving revisions to leaves of absence (including FMLA/NJFLA and medical/maternity leaves), approving a staff transfer, and approving the employment of new long-term substitutes and substitute teachers, pending clearances. The Board also addressed the creation of new positions (Chief Curriculum and Instructional Technology Officer and Technology Director) and approved the organizational chart for the 2025-2026 school year. Curriculum approvals covered student observation hours, while student items included scheduling track and field events, approving the 2026-2027 District Calendar, and detailing various field trips and senior class activities. Finance items included approving an agreement with The Cooper Health System for sports medicine physician services, approving initial year costs for Budgetary and Payroll systems, and approving payments for Project Graduation services, transportation arrangements for special services students, and a donation for t-shirts. Finally, the Board moved to approve the total bills list amounting to $700,120.73.

The meeting included the recognition of Board Members. Key agenda items involved policy approvals, including the second reading and approval of policies concerning Resource Materials, Library Material, and Public Complaints. Personnel actions included accepting retirements, resignations, terminations, approving leaves of absence, secretary transfers, and employment of several new staff members including teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodians. Professional development approvals were granted for various workshops and conferences. Other personnel actions involved authorizing support for student activities, extending/changing long-term substitute assignments, updating a team leader role, approving volunteer advisor, creating new permanent substitute custodian positions, and approving extra compensation for covering administrative leave. The curriculum section covered attendance recovery sessions, an SAT Evening Course, and various field trips and district assemblies. Financial matters included approving budget transfers, reviewing financial reports certifying no line-item over-expenditures, appointing an Architect of Record, approving an RFP solution for telecommunications replacement and upgrade financed via lease, approving a new monthly phone service proposal resulting in significant savings, awarding the bid for student transportation services, and accepting several donations. The Buildings and Grounds section approved the Health and Safety Evaluation Checklist and construction proposals for security vestibule alterations at Good Intent Elementary School. Finally, bills totaling over $9.3 million were approved for payment, followed by an executive session to discuss legal matters.