[{"_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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6372855,"mediaKeyId","2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a","parentId",2146826,"title","Board rejects proposal to switch policy service to New Jersey School Board Association","audioSeconds",1962,"startMs",1796000,"endMs",3758000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a&start=1796&end=3758","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372855/New-Jersey/Board-rejects-proposal-to-switch-policy-service-to-New-Jersey-School-Board-Association","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372855-f4122ead7111b9208e8c6409cdca6ee2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773223853&Signature=NVyTCg9IWtHmTfxe9gpuiyr~UgXSCmgGmTtPcRngHcMlbJOUnSnwlogzV86VzXxBxXNF9hbpAXrX3uuypL0YFS13Kk-CXFufi9zJdrjV8Q5KZmtGiqNB-k1orE6BTgQdB~FbHjK~WbPm-ZKf016HqkYkorgiEsa1w7sqQYKVzFnPnR8C0tjz3drbey-CoZy-MlEX4KqenpCErSwCoJqd8RynlxeALXA1ZJPxDRymo0qir8~oHdnArtCqAUIxZFYMcKuMdRgbLQh8SUAy2hPHhS9aJwX~BjKn7QGRTMoE3RSbEpOPV789Jl6CN748qrSUQCq-nPU4KRWdZaKc76X6mg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montgomery Township School District","date","2025-01-22T17:26:56Z","article","The Montgomery Township School District Board of Education voted down agenda item 3.12, a motion to adopt the New Jersey School Board Association (NJSBA) as the district's policy and regulation service vendor of record.

Board member Anya, the motion's chief proponent, framed the change as an effort to make policies easier for parents and the public to read and to gain faster, more direct support for drafting and updating local policy. \"If you read the language in NJSBA policies, they're much more user friendly policies where parents can clearly understand what's being asked of them,\" Anya said during the discussion.

Opponents and cautious board members said the district had not received enough comparative evidence about NJSBA's service levels and that the vendor's policy program is still expanding. Miss Dowling said she did not have \"enough information on 3.12\" and announced an abstention on that item during roll call. Other members voiced concerns that some districts that switched had later returned to Strauss SMA, the district's current vendor.

Superintendent McLaughlin answered procedural and capability questions for the board, noting that both vendors provide regular updates tied to state law changes and that switching would carry start-up costs tied to whichever platform the board uses.

After extended discussion and a roll-call vote, the board president announced: \"Motions carry, except for 3.12. 3.12 does not carry.\" The transcript does not record a full numeric tally for the vote in a single summarized count; several members indicated at roll call that they would vote \"yes to all except 3.12\" or would abstain on 3.12.

Why it matters: Policy-service vendors help districts keep local policies aligned with state laws and guidance, and they provide searchable policy manuals and update alerts. Proponents argued a vendor with a more user-friendly presentation and on-call drafting support would help parents and the community understand school rules; opponents warned of implementation risk and incomplete comparative evidence.

Next steps: The item failed on this roll call. Board members who asked for more information said they would continue to seek comparative references and cost details before bringing a similar item back to a future meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 1-21-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Montgomery Township School District Board of Education voted down agenda item 3.12, a proposal to adopt the New Jersey School Board Association as the district's policy and regulation vendor of record.","taxTitle","Montgomery Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",64102,"location","New Jersey","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372841,"Board committee reports: AP Capstone course, German exchange and Program of Studies updates",241,698000,939000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a&start=698&end=939","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a/thumbnail_698000.jpg","/articles/6372841/New-Jersey/Board-committee-reports-AP-Capstone-course-German-exchange-and-Program-of-Studies-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372841-7fac7265648b348186ab74f2eebd9fe3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773223853&Signature=Ad9CDbX8NaoVYVCcG6pg8WJR~T7ifT2Hqt8qOkznO5Twqf1A~WOMLAsM1tLuvPcbSg1lKA~67vec-W77B9X-V2X4WqZro1xLOOlLTYk3MiPL4hm5jVnbxJXKDCUeiF0CXXgBcYHgFABDeXppZMq9MTI9tEiWWOL8gkNOLGFpnzpUr-ygrpGZrClrlMT2uwLMNkOW6Zh-yBsz0G5eJtJ4dDRMDVQqb61bsP2wAx4yzZomXN~aa93Io9KMxS2V-3SwT9qpSPP21NQHc~K~bGCRq6Xm0Zx1e3BNdUMNPUVHbGar3XkKg-nO0omaOci-LZC9usrmL5X2bA2eOmwnQa7PQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","In committee reports to the full board, members described instructional expansions and updates to the district's Program of Studies.

Board member Dowell reported from the ACI committee that the district plans to offer AP Capstone (AP Seminar and AP Research) for students meeting prerequisites: the seminar will begin with broad access for 10th and 11th graders in fall 2025 and AP Research will be offered beginning in the 2026-27 school year, initially in one section with teacher recommendation and application requirements. \"This foundational course looks at research, writing proposals, and presentation skills,\" Dowell said.

Dowell also described the German exchange program, which the district has participated in since 1985 and more consistently since 2007. The exchange is open to students who have taken at least one year of German and includes living with host families and full classroom immersion; visiting partner-school students attend Montgomery schools for 10 days.

Committee members also reported revisions to the district Program of Studies for Upper Middle School and Montgomery High School. Updates aim to make the documents more user-friendly and navigable online; the FAFSA process and graduation-related information were added to the MHS materials. Some minor course-title adjustments were noted in theater arts and other elective offerings.

Why it matters: AP Capstone and exchange opportunities expand advanced learning and world-language immersion for interested students; clearer Program of Studies documents can assist families in course planning.

No formal board actions were taken on these items during this meeting; committee members said they will continue implementation work and outreach to families.","At the ACI committee report, board members described plans to introduce AP Capstone seminar and research courses and updates to the district Program of Studies (including FAFSA information). The German student exchange, active since 1985, continues as an interest-driven program; some program starts and timelines were shared.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6372846,"Parents press board for real-time bus tracking; residents urge reopening high school courts",439,4076000,4515000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a&start=4076&end=4515","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a/thumbnail_4076000.jpg","/articles/6372846/New-Jersey/Parents-press-board-for-real-time-bus-tracking-residents-urge-reopening-high-school-courts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372846-548942d04bc5a945c95aca0c925b7d9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773223853&Signature=JGLMnMc6a~fhn19jnq~4gz4wKj2tdXavNIBUUn5jeHn7YEu27yUgQBUGf5s1BmTS7WE6dVGEw0BKZYaqnUqondMesA3mgM4Dr2pxG5Am3hcDfR7mfieoOYGnUJUqvCCSk8O3PEjTdnPj5zYYF1JecCN-afQUuMHqlWKRknUBBxsHiNbh2YtrpIs1Yn4APlH7QxHxyO-FpT9SfvXmobc52sqhPqhj1WGL~FV804AjXuQg8-PicOyvVlXFlbMjWnxUwEZI-P1GaijNujsUqP1C0X-RlftB~Kj5tAJLvcuzvH3QczfFXtaLvhThCJxAlh~~SjBF4T-W5byyTaB6cCh6Ew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two public-comment items attracted attention at the meeting: requests to restore community access to high school outdoor courts and a separate appeal for districtwide real-time school-bus tracking.

Steve Hart, identified himself as a resident, urged the board to complete negotiations with the township so the high school courts are available to the public in spring. \"I assume that the process is still going up Township is still negotiating with the board,\" Hart said; he encouraged completing the agreement while outdoor play is limited by winter weather.

A second set of public comments, from a parent who identified himself as Shailesh of 297 Sunset Road and his 7th-grade son, asked the district to implement a real-time bus-tracking system. Shailesh said his older child waited in near-freezing temperatures because of a substitute-driver delay and said a tracking system would help parents know arrival times and avoid unnecessary exposure to weather. His son described long walks to bus stops and said classmates sometimes have to wait 11\u001212 minutes in cold weather.

Superintendent Blackall told the board the district has drafted an agreement related to the courts and is awaiting the township's response. On the tracking request, Blackall said she would gather vendor information for the board and transportation coordinator to review; she named examples heard in the meeting such as \"Safe Fleet\" and \"Here Comes The Bus.\"

Why it matters: Real-time bus tracking affects student safety and parent awareness of delays; outdoor-court access involves community recreation and any township-level lease or user agreement. The superintendent said staff would follow up with vendors and the township.

","Public commenters urged the Montgomery Township Board to reopen high school outdoor courts and to adopt a real-time bus-tracking system after multiple student pickups were delayed. The superintendent said the district is reviewing agreements with the township for court access and will evaluate bus-tracking vendors with transportation staff.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":46,"_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":74,"_75":74},6372850,"Board approves routine agenda items; one contested policy item fails",2729,1029000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a&start=1029&end=3758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2146826-cd528d045810f4ec3e35bc808c34451a/thumbnail_1029000.jpg","/articles/6372850/New-Jersey/Board-approves-routine-agenda-items-one-contested-policy-item-fails","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372850-4209aeddc27ef920ce46fb1511b01088/orig.mp4?Expires=1773223853&Signature=bIdlTdQ2fLZfikMYFLNQN0Fd9bRes4uy5mv7MT2-IuR0oDlYaH9V9Dz0EY6a~uP8sxRExKC6gGzyqlZsZLMVcjNpoRmt3-D7auebdMTHhK9LTRtPj3ndsiJDn-HptdU1TjS3g8-t-fuGJ0U7W47s8LXVf9BTWubJYF1DHp4iPlLMDm7vuopI6fjbCYd0N0Vh~y5lVR5rbBhhS5FRfTJdIkDHjUWeyCxC5nX~gYk8QXqVbRmSE-W5piauh4ojKR9CtycJiRNu0X-FVqxnXDq2sOEb5m~rgNxhGHr1~IlfUR4ejM7vbSP3k0v0zDluzYpLZKbJGKsc20XJslnThSkrng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montgomery Township School District Board of Education approved most items on the business agenda in a block roll-call vote but did not approve agenda item 3.12.

The board approved minutes for December 2 and December 17 meetings, accepted routine committee and representative reports, and passed multiple consent agenda items identified as 1.1 through 4.8 with standard roll-call procedure. During the roll call several members stated exceptions or abstentions for particular subitems; those exceptions were recorded on the transcript.

The single item the board declined was 3.12, a proposal to adopt the New Jersey School Board Association as the district's policy and regulation vendor of record; that item did not carry on roll call after extended discussion (see separate article).

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (December 2 executive session 1; December 2 special meeting; December 17 executive session 1; December 17 executive session 2; December 17 business meeting): approved (roll call). Details: movers/second not specified in transcript extract.
- Consent items 1.1'4.8: approved by block vote, with individual members recording exceptions as noted verbally (see transcript for item-level exceptions).
- Agenda item 3.12 (policy/regulation vendor change to NJSBA): failed on roll call.

The transcript records members calling out item-level exceptions during roll call (for example, several members stated \"yes to all except 3.12\" or abstained on particular numbered items). The meeting record shows the board president reconvened the final vote and announced the result: the block passed except for 3.12.","The Montgomery Township School District Board approved agenda items 1.1 through 4.8 in a block vote but rejected agenda item 3.12 (vendor switch to NJSBA). Minutes and routine business were approved; the policy-service vendor motion failed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board rejects proposal to switch policy service to New Jersey School Board Association

Board committee reports: AP Capstone course, German exchange and Program of Studies updates

Parents press board for real-time bus tracking; residents urge reopening high school courts

Board approves routine agenda items; one contested policy item fails