[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6309256,"mediaKeyId","2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec","parentId",2413608,"title","SCOPE presents grants totaling about $4,000; board agenda includes grant approvals","audioSeconds",438,"startMs",5729000,"endMs",6167000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec&start=5729&end=6167","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec/thumbnail_5729000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6309256/New-Jersey/SCOPE-presents-grants-totaling-about-4000-board-agenda-includes-grant-approvals","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309256-1fc6fb457b8bb0e9568e4b3cd50f6f93/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145061&Signature=I26nwpl~sy4UuGKrntLiouTd6GaTEGvcAbtUs4kxrBzn84aT4LRBfPUzwQKjrGrrcltNmK3ie20wo7FrFbdtrzGzLllo8LPNEGyNip~LWOEWSwwVaNZ91isCrGnPl~7j8Y~LHgM84oYeO4oiNHMp3m0tPVhgN7E2e1sLgG1oPIIkNt8nvaYPDJfNh509DE5BtnhbSOI0ZXKxEOWmcZcexan11r73KI1XLwK0b1ifV5orfv8nXPTZpbRyABnN1TGMOxnzNHUsKSaKkc7b9yUT5rlKZfKh0hGCKzqOZuJkjBmHei1BowuaNUffJTPKc-C~7F8FwvZVNk-yXPuKO1oMVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-26T04:11:55Z","article","SCOPE (Special Children's Organization for Parents and Educators), the district's special-education parent organization, presented its grant program to the Marlboro Township Board of Education and requested approval of nine grants totaling just over $4,000.

What SCOPE funds: the volunteer group explained its application and review process and said the grants cover items not typically paid for by the district budget, such as adapted playground equipment, read-aloud pens, hallway sensory enhancements, a science trip for an ER program and assistive tools for autism classrooms. Vice president Jessica Purnick and treasurer Alicia Thor outlined that this year 12 grant requests arrived from seven of the eight schools; SCOPE prioritized based on need and cost-effectiveness and collaborated with Special Services staff to ensure items were not otherwise budgeted or provided through IEPs.

Why it matters: SCOPE fills gaps for students with special needs by funding classroom supports and sensory tools. The board's financial agenda included a resolution to accept SCOPE's donations and to approve the grants; trustees were briefed that the grants would appear under the Financial and Business Operations matters and would be on the vote that night.

Grant highlights: SCOPE said the package includes three rhythm-and-balance adapted swings (for Abbott's autism classrooms), an adapted swing for Robertsville, read-aloud pens for Marlboro Middle and Asher, hallway hopscotch for Dugan, sensory hallway enhancements at Asher and a speech-to-text microphone for Memorial sixth graders; the ER program at Morrell requested funding for a Liberty Science Center trip.

Next steps and vote: SCOPE's treasurer said selected items would be purchased through vetted vendors and presented to staff; the board agenda later listed the grants under item 12 (donation from SCOPE) for approval. During the consent-vote sequence the board recorded approvals for the financial agenda items; the district will process purchase orders and coordinate deliveries with school staff.

Taper: SCOPE said it raises funds through community events and plans future activities; board members encouraged broader PTO and district support for outreach so more schools take part in the grant application cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marlboro Township Public Schools Live Stream 2/25/2025","oneSentenceSummary","SCOPE, the district special-education PTO, presented nine grant requests covering adaptive equipment, sensory and reading aids and an ER program trip; the grants were listed on the business agenda for board approval.","taxTitle","Marlboro Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",54433,"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},6309261,"Board hears bond-counsel briefing on possible referendum to fund HVAC work; timing makes September unlikely",735,6504000,7239000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec&start=6504&end=7239","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec/thumbnail_6504000.jpg","/articles/6309261/New-Jersey/Board-hears-bond-counsel-briefing-on-possible-referendum-to-fund-HVAC-work-timing-makes-September-unlikely","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309261-31b63051a4ecfa95d65c7cf6b103b1e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145061&Signature=jjnx1nl~VmvZy8dlsSeWrGOHgg-9cvHmsujHqQDbfRtjroo5xC8JTDXL7evnNbuETn7IpEHhk9ESWahogXHYoJfsBf8CI~XsgGwtJ5YDgzART8LCDULCI42BcWgf4v-Da1uR8b-OD0HofpHpRa5jR9y5K61uDdpt0FMecXLNAp1ldGh7jR7J~WcFRt1wfdPb0O1j1baJnyKRtJ8qgxmoRPHicS~Vs~P2DDMcYlqZXqheOoMe3K5B-McXV~mfxB5k4CPRGwYpE4IptUeX0kCrxbyM3QBmbTlWBAOquloR2kjlPdgv7dn2dYP7xyHHPoyLVrp7xovFKzVkZ7lK65ZW5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Bond counsel Tony Salmini briefed the Marlboro Township Board of Education on financing options for remaining HVAC projects at Asher and Robertsville elementary schools, explaining how a local bond referendum could make the district eligible for state debt-service aid that would reduce net local cost.

Why it matters: the board and administration are weighing whether to seek voter approval to borrow for remaining HVAC work. If approved and awarded, the state can cover a portion of debt service (theoretical maximum 40%, but practice in recent years has averaged about 34%), which could lower the district's local share compared with paying directly from capital reserves.

What bond counsel said: Salmini explained that if the district borrows and the project is approved for state aid, the state would pay a portion of the debt service and the district's capital reserve could be used to pay the remainder when the debt becomes due. He noted the Department of Education can take up to five months to review a project application and that the county must receive referendum language at prescribed intervals (e.g., 74 days before the November general election). Given the review timeline, trustees observed that aiming for a September special-election date would be \"very difficult,\" and a November or later special date is more likely.

Board's options and cost example: Counsel gave a worked example: for a $3 million project, approximately $1 million (roughly one-third) could be reimbursed by the state under current practice, leaving about $2 million for the district to fund (for example, from capital reserves). Professional costs (architect, issuance, marketing) would be eligible for the same reimbursement proportion if the referendum succeeds; if the referendum fails, the district would bear those costs.

Timing and next steps: trustees discussed authorizing the architect to prepare project applications and agreed the next concrete step is to adopt a resolution to that effect. The board president said he would place a resolution on a near-future agenda to authorize the architect to submit applications; no final vote on a referendum question occurred at the meeting. Board members stressed the need for a coordinated outreach and education campaign if the district pursues a referendum.

Taper: Trustees emphasized a preference to pursue available aid while noting the practical timeline constraints and cost of marketing or professional services. The board will consider a formal resolution for architect authorization at the next meeting and review the DOE response timing before scheduling a voter question.","Bond counsel and district officials outlined options for financing remaining elementary HVAC projects, including a referendum that could secure state debt-service aid; the board discussed timing and next steps but took no formal vote.",{"_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},6309264,"Marlboro BOE abolishes Policy 5756 on transgender students after heated public comments and board discussion",476,3252000,3728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec&start=3252&end=3728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2413608-dbf278b8b79fe2d4ff93631ca694d7ec/thumbnail_3252000.jpg","/articles/6309264/New-Jersey/Marlboro-BOE-abolishes-Policy-5756-on-transgender-students-after-heated-public-comments-and-board-discussion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6309264-69f1271ec262ec0b14a1119e58767022/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145061&Signature=bm1rg-7xmZDPulrD-5HOXiHYHcQ-TgsULODMtqxUr8zXvozycJzYFK7fjIlt7dpPNF4R7Uo54-7~t-y4CvtbcKzhEbsniyk81Xlnisl4Gptio4OWvpfxL5a6yM6W-yv8g2OHte~WT50KphlhMmQlcUNJAnakeeq8ragCCUj2vT8tbqNRICJe99WiKLO-IfHb8t5z~33G-zCTf60baXwGTK9XfiUYKcRbvP3sRqCuvv3tC3lM3QhZyos9TAIo7evmWq26K0yOsKX8ePXyKLf4j~ILNhke66BQ1z5~qWK7k0Z3vhTHHGmZSaZeR-hmXVCViE0kTbsGfLQV-eLyW7D60w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Marlboro Township Board of Education voted to abolish Policy 5756, the district's policy on transgender students, during its regular meeting on Feb. 25, 2025, after a round of public comments and discussion among board members.

Board members said the decision followed public feedback and committee review. The vote followed a broader policy package that included a first reading of Policy 5512 (harassment, intimidation or bullying) and a second reading of Policy 8420 (emergency and crisis situations). The roll call recorded approval of the three policy items; board leadership announced that Policy 5756 is abolished.

Why it matters: the abolition of a district policy governing transgender students drew sustained public comment from residents and alumni and prompted questions about how policy drafts and redlines are shared with board members before meetings. For families and staff, the change affects how the district documents procedures for handling gender-identity questions in school operations and may prompt requests for guidance about compliance with state civil-rights statutes.

Public comment and board discussion: Several members of the public urged the board to abolish Policy 5756 and to prioritize residents' input. Sarah Bono, a Marlboro resident and graduate of the district, told the board that she supported abolishing the policy and asked that the district \"end the conversation\" and ensure residents have a voice. Dan Bono, another resident, criticized nonresidents speaking at board meetings and urged board members to respond when they believe speakers are inaccurate. Other speakers urged care for transgender students and warned that legal protections under New Jersey anti-discrimination law remain in force.

Board members also debated internal procedure. Multiple board members asked why policy changes had not been distributed earlier or shown in standard redline markup; Policy Committee Chair Aditi Gandhi said changes had been marked but not always shown in red and that committee materials were shared in the \"green notes\" folder. Several trustees asked staff to return to the board with clearer distribution plans so members can review policy drafts ahead of votes.

Outcome and next steps: The board president called the roll and confirmed approval of the policies; he then said that Policy 5756 had been abolished. Board members thanked the public for input; the district's attorney and administration will likely advise on operational steps and compliance with state law following the action. No additional procedural actions or policy replacements for 5756 were adopted at the meeting.

Board members did not claim in-meeting legal guidance beyond the record; transcript speakers noted that anti-discrimination protections under state law remain in place.

Taper: The board moved on to other business including routine minutes, personnel items and budget discussions; members said any further policy work will follow established committee review and be shared with the board when available.","The Marlboro Township Board of Education voted to abolish Policy 5756 (transgender students) after public comment and a lengthy board exchange over policy procedure and distribution of redlined drafts; two other policies moved forward on first and second readings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

SCOPE presents grants totaling about $4,000; board agenda includes grant approvals

Board hears bond-counsel briefing on possible referendum to fund HVAC work; timing makes September unlikely

Marlboro BOE abolishes Policy 5756 on transgender students after heated public comments and board discussion