Middlesex County Stem Charter School

Central Jersey College Prep Charter School's mission is to prepare students for post-secondary education and beyond, with a vision focused on admission to four-year institutions. The school achieves this through small class sizes, extended curricula in English and math, personalized guidance, and a comprehensive college mentorship program. It emphasizes technology integration, offers extensive student support services including socio-emotional health and academic progress, and provides various extracurricular activities. The school has consistently achieved 100% graduation and four-year college acceptance rates, fostering intellectual, emotional, and physical potential.

The City of Perth Amboy outlines its vision to become a 'smart city' of the future, driven by technological advancement and a city-wide strategy focused on enhancing STEM education. The plan emphasizes preparing students with critical thinking, problem-solving, and industry-defined skills to excel in the 21st-century economy. This strategic direction, supported by partnerships like the Middlesex County STEM Charter School, aims to foster innovation, sustainability, and a skilled future workforce for the city.

The key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of the meeting agenda and the Regular Board Meeting Minutes for November 06, 2025. The Board accepted the FY25 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) and Auditor's Management Report (AMR) with no findings. Board matters covered the requirement for members to complete Annual Financial Disclosure Statements by April 30, 2026, and the scheduling of the next meeting for March 26, 2026. Policy actions involved approving the first reading of Policy 5460-High School Graduation and approving the first reading of several revised or new policies regarding Nepotism, Legal Services, Internal Controls, and Sexual Harassment, as well as abolishing others. The Chief Education Officer provided updates on enrollment (268 applications received against FY26 capacity of 989), implementation of the II Budget, and a comparative report showing the school outperforming the Perth Amboy School district in Math and showing similar/slightly better performance in ELA. Final actions included approving the Saturday Academy Program funded by FY26 Title I funds, approving service agreements for CST Evaluation, School Physician, Architect, and Engineering services for the 2025-2026 school year, approving new hires and stipends for 2025-2026, approving salary proportions from IDEA Grant Funding, approving listed field trips, and approving attendance/costs for various workshops/conferences. Financially, the Board accepted the RISE Grant of $30,000, approved the Revised Budget for FY26 based on the October enrollment count, approved the FY27 Budget Calendar, designated members to the Finance Committee, accepted monthly financial reports for October, November, and December 2025 (with the December 31st cash balance at $3,662,788.49), and approved the List of Bills for the period between November 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.

The presentation, provided by the Chief Education Officer, summarized student handbook policies and upcoming events for the new school year, emphasizing a 'return to normalcy' from the COVID-19 era. Key discussion points included changes to safety protocols concerning viral infections, such as symptom-free return requirements and optional mask usage, with strict anti-bullying policies enforced regarding mask choices. The presentation detailed new attendance policies, requiring evidence for excused absences due to positive tests and clarifying that make-up work must be provided upon return without penalty, unlike during the pandemic. Transportation policies were also reviewed, noting that while the district is mandated to provide transport beyond a two-mile radius, there are current shortages of bus drivers.

The Board of Trustees meeting addressed several agenda items, including the acceptance of the agenda and the approval of the Regular Board Meeting Minutes for September 30, 2025. Key actions included approving the second reading and adoption of the revised regulation R 5516 Use of Electronic Communication or Recording Devices. Major items involved authorizing the initiation of a competitive contracting process for Custodial Cleaning Services, accepting the proposal from AFS Solutions for Snow Plowing Services for the 2025-2026 school year, and approving the mandated Memorandum of Agreement with local law enforcement. Furthermore, the Board approved new hires, salary adjustments, and stipends for the 2025-2026 school year, authorized an employee bonus structure funded by ERC proceeds, and approved various field trips and faculty attendance at workshops/conferences. In finance matters, the Board approved the 2025-2026 Annual Fiscal Questionnaire, accepted the September 2025 financial reports, and approved the List of Bills for the period between September 16, 2025, through October 31, 2025. The Board convened in Executive Session to discuss personnel matters, attorney-client privilege, and HIB reports.