[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6382683,"mediaKeyId","2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89","parentId",2126496,"title","Public speakers debate classroom display rules; one urges inclusivity, another warns of division","audioSeconds",1497,"startMs",1102000,"endMs",2599000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89&start=1102&end=2599","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89/thumbnail_1102000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382683/New-Jersey/Public-speakers-debate-classroom-display-rules-one-urges-inclusivity-another-warns-of-division","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382683-5c733801114d3279b349067e378d126a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607782&Signature=EwpPbjlKG6ZrFqu0TY9XpK7eX~usTWHc6q7-nTP-69CvwJBhawewbVNxCbFhocWvuq9uO~1Bmoh0m7J79KP91ZUVJT6Jyi56JEJgqRn3JQsTaPxqEGiTeHvARj49cn~MNdODe2q9LFru0O0OpzNXGqnFRt39q7EizIyiM8x9bpy0WLwMVjvUHGBXYKDB17nFvM~hIgBRDGaYKfk6QuMEI-FAdGOb1w6MCYCYGxBY7d3z3rdGVYxZSUrQssqLRv-SvwJYfCfjC08~EbvasJZGKv2UtdnM5paOlzfewyA2V8vfVsEcxXNK9Kjapn8e4Hnufo0jFd3NBwsMvh52T47R~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-17T16:45:49.5Z","article","Two members of the public addressed the board during the comment period about district guidance on classroom displays and political expression.

Karen Hobson, who identified herself as an advocate and community member, told the board that recent restrictions on political expression that affect pride flags risk harming students who need visible signs of support. \"Pride flags are not political expression,\" Hobson said. She urged the board to \"reconsider and clarify the interpretation of the policy and collaborate with the community to find a solution that respects diverse perspectives, while prioritizing inclusion.\"

Richard Bidnick, chair of Lacey Citizens Responsible Government, gave a contrasting view and said displays that single out one group can be divisive in classrooms. \"Putting this in the classroom, my feeling is... it's very divisional to actually isolate a certain group and put a flag that represents a certain group that may actually go against the values of someone else that is in that classroom,\" Bidnick said. He identified himself as gay and said his concern is about singling out groups rather than about personal identity.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the issue as balancing civil liberties, student safety and community values. The board’s harassment, intimidation and bullying policy (policy 5512) was on the agenda for updates; public comment placed classroom display rules in the broader context of that policy and the district’s obligations to protect students from harassment.

The board did not take action on display rules during the meeting; comments were made during the public-comment portion of the agenda and will inform future policy conversation.

Both speakers provided supporting materials to the board: Hobson offered a guidance document excerpt on First Amendment jurisprudence for teachers and students and indicated she would provide handouts. Bidnick said he and his organization will hold community forums about the referendum and district governance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","School Board 1-16-25","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment speakers debated a district policy restricting political expression: Karen Hobson argued pride flags signal inclusion and are not political, while Richard Bidnick, chair of Lacey Citizens Responsible Government, said displaying single-group symbols in classrooms is divisive.","taxTitle","Lacey Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",53772,"location","New Jersey","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382688,"Board outlines March referendum questions, schedules public forum Jan. 28",124,3288000,3412000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89&start=3288&end=3412","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89/thumbnail_3288000.jpg","/articles/6382688/New-Jersey/Board-outlines-March-referendum-questions-schedules-public-forum-Jan-28","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382688-e81b40015bbe74317a6a871ff43805d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607782&Signature=BjlxM89Kg5B4R97aRi4boDKBcYdvbC2NSZNP5AEzZ8qtK5jQGK7TqgJDrqNy3jjJcydLud4~XvpFldNFyI0cUTt75TyqM99iS0fOVTRlmWMqIRoNZbI1wMcycesBKkD8afxz189ZrvJF4YlgNGOCKU40wQMSDh~qZj7Sys5PiH8bz3w4aUhUfRbS5geIXqZd22CHD5XrmhmNZHgcIczUa5YSES~P1vApc2IuGW8xgAgvH7wVIqXy-tgnSZ9g0lw4AIhv9Whrqb2PPthH11CtaJGnzz99omBa6KA74o0Lzsg~4twiRvLK0~gzgy9y3waZ6IrZs9zwoc~jFmJ6b7sZQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Board members presented details about the district’s planned March referendum and encouraged residents to attend an informational forum on Jan. 28 in the high school auditorium.

Board member Mr. Zelensky told the public the referendum vote is scheduled for March 11 and described three separate ballot questions: work on roofs at district buildings, HVAC upgrades at each building, and site work including repaving parking lots, renovating bathrooms, replacing the high-school gym floor and upgrading the turf field behind the high school. \"Question 1 is really a roof question for every building. Question 2 is HVAC work at each building. And then question 3 talks about repaving our parking lots, renovating our bathrooms, high school gym floor, turf field behind the high school,\" he said.

Zelensky and other board members said voters would be able to vote on the separate questions rather than being presented with a single, bundled package. He also said the board expects state reimbursement to offset a portion of costs and that district materials — including an interactive website — explain details and voting options. \"It's a 40% discount because the state will give us back 40%\" was how the reimbursement was described during the meeting.

Why it matters: the referendum would authorize capital spending and related bond financing that would affect district facilities and could change the district’s capital budget and tax impact for residents.

Logistics and outreach noted at the meeting:

- Referendum date: March 11 (normal polling places; vote-by-mail options available).
- Public information forum: Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lacey Township High School auditorium; the architect, district financial professionals and the district’s lawyer were scheduled to attend the forum to answer technical questions about project scope and financing.
- Materials: The district launched an interactive referendum website with question-by-question detail and financial information; board members encouraged residents to consult the site and attend the Jan. 28 session for factual information rather than social-media claims.

Board members said they had visited Trenton to testify before the New Jersey Department of Education regarding state aid cuts that the district argues have reduced funding. The board urged residents to attend the Jan. 28 forum to get answers \"from the people that wrote the questions,\" said Mr. Zelensky.

The board did not take a separate vote on the referendum questions during this meeting; the remarks were part of committee and board updates and outreach planning.","Board members said the March 11 referendum will present three separate questions on roofs, HVAC and site/athletic work; a public information session is scheduled for Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382693,"Auditor reports clean opinion on Lacey Township School District 2023–24 audit",287,669000,956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89&start=669&end=956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89/thumbnail_669000.jpg","/articles/6382693/New-Jersey/Auditor-reports-clean-opinion-on-Lacey-Township-School-District-202324-audit","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382693-37f46ef4a7a78eb29a402863e7db41e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607782&Signature=MFKTBUXyIh6h5N7CPqn7H-j7M68rxQOiyku7CvxZ0pCn~dWIG3jc9-mpY0zWRkaqMAZDnx7dBUJ3j5OxHE~cw8bykPJRA25DPo9GiNEDv6LCxZPNtXJsjkxa5yDvIUYW-WME47keJ3ksiQRjXHcwDzIeKTnxy0HOp-5YprkGi31XwFcCGc5BL40Yx0d2l9nN4q7Jh4YG7YRFS2bzKmcVQ9ASAmaY5pMS-Gxntj5Af7bEgqKGisY2GoUxlTGNt5qBhx4M99DVPizxG5622LzNW5dI7BzDDwckv27qw8WBqlnzW9CGoAeE747dXh4juWCPD5tSMWlxR5-~g--zUrYSog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Catherine Perry of Jeff Perry & Company LLP told the Lacey Township Board of Education that the district's audit for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, resulted in an unmodified opinion and no audit findings.

Perry presented the audit deliverables the firm files with state and federal agencies and with bond holders and said the district's Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) — the detailed financial report — consists of about 150 pages of financial data. \"Unmodified is a clean opinion. We had no findings,\" she said, summarizing the audit team's conclusions. Perry added that the auditor's management report and the federal data collection form were submitted and contained no findings.

Why it matters: an unmodified opinion means the independent auditor found the district's financial statements to present fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with accounting standards. That conclusion is used by state and federal agencies and by bond holders when assessing the district's fiscal condition.

Key facts presented to the board:

- Audit period: fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
- Deliverables: audit summary, ACFR and federal data-collection forms were submitted to the state and federal agencies; the audit summary was submitted to state reviewers (presentation referenced a January filing date for the summary).
- Findings: the auditor reported no findings on grants, payroll, disbursements, purchase orders, busing, cafeteria operations or major federal programs tested.

Perry told the board the audit report is available on the New Jersey Department of Education website and on the district's website. She thanked the district business office for its cooperation during the audit.

The board did not take a formal roll-call vote on the audit presentation; the auditor presented the results as part of the business meeting record.","Jeff Perry & Company LLP presented the district's audit for year ended June 30, 2024, reporting an unmodified (clean) opinion and no findings; the auditor noted deliverables filed with state and bond stakeholders.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6382696,"Lacey Township Board approves routine business, personnel actions and referendum-related resolutions",3934,47000,3981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89&start=47&end=3981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126496-203f53a8dba7ca5b0c8001a593b3bd89/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6382696/New-Jersey/Lacey-Township-Board-approves-routine-business-personnel-actions-and-referendum-related-resolutions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382696-d546227d39b7fba4557dec4d6cae775a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773607782&Signature=R~OL9elETtLB2oMfSX19o2opYq5QbRaDuX-ekhEdzT8--O8TRdHHR0SK64actZinW8S-WwqXwHeEGKcCW1L8ZSzPOgEDPsb7MLmHjyr~6Q7Tpp1zQSXJ7sEZeDB3TZiEONkmBx7oiAJgq2lw5igs7kCn32KYMf0OIwozlBaINYvuJwk7NFWFWw~2ghC7NEZCuUGxw6eOmN4zFv2R-9u2hEhOWdc1zRH5ofsAuOgKiKqd-0a7MmwSksydc8rpiBGtt8Iimdm-ZXQz5qBlnlAtssajv0UMWSE6KM8pRcvkQIiRkqcJoT2sLumpItX97xVGgrbUsrWuPTe3y6a5cPSRrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lacey Township Board of Education approved a series of routine and substantive motions during its January public meeting, including minutes, bills, transfers, finance and facilities resolutions, policy updates and personnel actions. Several members registered abstentions or recusals on specific items.

The motions covered a broad set of agenda items: approval of meeting minutes; payment of bills; budget transfers; finance- and facilities-related resolutions (A5–A12 on the agenda); student tuition adjustments; policy and regulation updates; donations; certificated and noncertificated personnel actions including retirements; and adjournment.

Board president Mrs. Clouse called for roll-call votes on each motion. The meeting record shows most motions passed on recorded roll call with a majority of \"yes\" votes. Exceptions noted in the roll calls included an abstention by Mrs. Walker on one special-meeting minutes item and recusals by Mr. Conedy on bills tied to his employer (agenda references given during the vote). On one student-tuition item (agenda item listed as number 15 in the roll call), Mr. Conedy voted \"no\" while the remaining recorded votes were \"yes.\" No motions on the record failed outright.

Why it matters: these approvals advance finance and personnel actions the district must finalize before the school year progresses and before referendum-related work continues toward the March vote.

Details of key actions recorded in the meeting minutes include:

- Executive session: The board moved into a 60-minute executive session to discuss confidential student matters (harassment/intimidation/bullying), confidential legal matters and personnel; the motion was moved by Mr. Peters and carried on voice vote.

- Minutes: The board approved meeting minutes (page 2, A1). Mrs. Walker abstained on one special meeting entry identified during the roll call.

- Bills and payments: The board approved the list of bills. Mr. Conedy recused himself from items tied to his employer as noted in the roll call (agenda references given during the vote).

- Transfers and finance/facilities matters: Motions for budget transfers and a set of finance and facilities resolutions (agenda items A3–A12) were approved by roll call.

- Student tuition: The board approved student tuition items with a recorded roll call; Mr. Conedy voted \"no\" on item 15 and \"yes\" on the remaining student tuition items.

- Policy and regulation updates: The board approved updates to policies and regulations (including updates discussed in the policy committee report) by roll call.

- Personnel: Certificated and noncertificated personnel actions, including retirements and appointments listed on the agenda, were approved by roll call.

- Donations and curriculum items: Donations and curriculum/report items listed on the agenda were approved as presented.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which carried on voice vote.

The public record and roll-call details are recorded in the district minutes for this meeting.","At its January meeting the Lacey Township Board of Education approved meeting minutes, invoices, transfers and a slate of finance, facilities, policy and personnel items; several members abstained or recused on narrow items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public speakers debate classroom display rules; one urges inclusivity, another warns of division

Board outlines March referendum questions, schedules public forum Jan. 28

Auditor reports clean opinion on Lacey Township School District 2023–24 audit

Lacey Township Board approves routine business, personnel actions and referendum-related resolutions