Mountain Lakes School District

This document, titled "STEM Forward: Advancing STEM Across Our District," outlines a strategic approach to enhance STEM education. Its 2025-2026 District STEM Goal is to enrich STEM learning by improving facilities, resources, curricula, and experiences aligned with a defined district vision. The STEM Vision aims to create a cohesive culture where students explore, design, innovate, and solve authentic problems. Key strategies include expanding project-based learning, fostering interdisciplinary connections, building partnerships, and increasing extra-curricular opportunities. The plan also details future initiatives to bolster curriculum, expand community outreach, upgrade learning spaces, and increase student participation in STEM competitions and advanced courses.

This Artificial Intelligence Plan outlines the district's vision for responsible AI use, focusing on District Vision, Responsible Innovation, and Human-Centered Learning. The plan aims to provide clear expectations, support teaching and learning, enhance operational efficiency, protect student privacy and academic integrity, and ensure consistent district-wide guidance. Key areas of focus include responsible and ethical AI use, privacy and security safeguards, integration of AI in teaching and learning, student expectations, and academic integrity and accountability.

The board meeting agenda includes an executive session regarding personnel and discipline matters, honoring a student representative for their service, and various presentations including STEM goals, an Artificial Intelligence plan, and student recognitions. Financial business covers the presentation of bills, budget transfers, the treasurer and board secretary reports, and the 2026-2027 tax levy payment schedule. Other agenda items include the approval of professional services contracts, staff conference travel, donations, fundraising activities, facilities use requests, and school staffing rates. The board also addressed the adoption of a Memorandum of Agreement, a resolution urging relief for rising health-care costs, personnel adjustments, leaves of absence, and summer program appointments. Additionally, the agenda covers curriculum writing appointments, field trip approvals, the adoption of a code of conduct, and a new policy regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence.

The board meeting included several key discussions and actions. These involved executive sessions for legal and privacy matters, a presentation on the CSA Evaluation process, and updates regarding district goals, staff recognition, and upcoming budget hearings. The board approved various financial resolutions, including the payment of bills, budget transfers, the treasurer's and board secretary's reports, travel reimbursements, and therapy services rates. Additionally, the board approved several personnel-related items, including position creations, appointments, leaves of absence, field trips, fundraising activities, facilities use requests, and district curriculum. Finally, the board affirmed a decision concerning a harassment, intimidation, and bullying incident.

The Board of Education conducted a public budget hearing for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and approved the budget. Discussions included updates on student government reports, school wellness programs, facility use requests, and various committee reports regarding survey data and strategic planning. The board reviewed and approved financial resolutions, including the presentation of bills, budgetary transfers, tuition enrollments, and professional service contracts. Additionally, the board addressed personnel matters such as leaves of absence, appointments, and additional compensation, and approved several field trips and the Briarcliff course of studies.