[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",6629457,"mediaKeyId","2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2","parentId",2703750,"title","Votes at a glance: minutes, personnel and policy items approved; board forwards finance items to county","audioSeconds",3021,"startMs",789000,"endMs",3810000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2&start=789&end=3810","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2/thumbnail_789000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6629457/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-minutes-personnel-and-policy-items-approved-board-forwards-finance-items-to-county","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629457-e0817c71bed988e6466c8fe5b236b371/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453074&Signature=kfdu2iVkOmnVtxO4~m5lETGZ8VogvpUdlLjvzrxokzCSLBe94woUPQUYuoDtX2m3kNhqdGUhHxxL9p2UOhjX2wA6TzcO~blwpXOE2UBllayVAGTGp~U9C-HM0G-2RaF4k-xByhOOA2juTptd6hqq35QylOyyHdMYCG9Yyj7WC1puF6ygH5E-rwMMlPRCkZ0m8O~E~mQPKBHzMNQBm7NqUZhzDJvqD6OZfzXH71f-riX9urCiaMu4TZdGeKG681L-x8iphwlEZddnQFZehmxCejVGxcRv1x0uK1jGYBtgTuiJJUKjojLcxXLzOMpszw8mXDG4xZoc46S9po0ABVJyyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Middlesex Borough School District","date","2025-03-20T01:14:48.967Z","article","The Middlesex Borough School District Board of Education recorded several formal actions during its meeting, including approvals of minutes, personnel recommendations and policy adoptions. The board also approved finance and facilities items that forward the district's tentative 2025–26 budget to the county for statutory review.

Here are the recorded actions and roll‑call outcomes as shown in the public meeting transcript:

- Approval of minutes: The board voted to approve minutes for the committee of the whole (Feb. 18), executive sessions and regular public meetings (Feb. 19) and a special public meeting (Mar. 11). The motion passed by roll call (majority yes votes recorded).

- Personnel: The personnel committee recommended approval of personnel action items 9.1–9.13. The board approved the personnel recommendations by roll call; the transcript records unanimous or near‑unanimous support as read into the record.

- Education committee items: The board approved education action items 11.1–11.13 as presented; a motion was made and seconded and the roll call passed.

- Policy (Bylaw) adoptions: The board moved to approve items 12.1–12.3 (second readings and adoptions of bylaws regarding public participation). The roll call shows one member voted \"no\" on item 12.2 and yes on the others; overall the motion to adopt the package carried.

- Finance and facilities: The board approved action items including 14.01 and 14.12 and moved to forward the tentative budget to the county for review (see separate budget article). The roll calls recorded in the meeting show the motion carried with the required majority.

Not recorded in the public transcript: the meeting included a motion introduced at the end to direct the superintendent to restore access for a principal on special assignment (see Hazelwood article); the transcript did not record a second or a roll call vote for that motion.

Ending: The board completed routine approvals and voted to forward the budget materials to the county for statutory review. Several substantive personnel and policy issues remain active and were the subject of extensive public comment.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regular BOE Meeting March 19, 2025 Continued","oneSentenceSummary","The Middlesex board approved minutes, multiple personnel and education committee action items and adopted bylaw revisions after second reading; the board also approved finance and facilities items to forward the tentative 2025–26 budget to the county.","taxTitle","Middlesex Borough School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",38827,"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},6629462,"Parents demand reinstatement of Hazelwood principal; board member moves to restore his access",560,7930000,8490000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2&start=7930&end=8490","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2/thumbnail_7930000.jpg","/articles/6629462/New-Jersey/Parents-demand-reinstatement-of-Hazelwood-principal-board-member-moves-to-restore-his-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629462-72cdcdd15271175ccac0d61759f4b5ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453074&Signature=niv~ILIkSEMXNn13-Uw9mdUyYcZgJQAlLTAMInvDkXGqtjc32cYLOed3DxLbaxggqhscZbTkb3UB58T13Q7hxtSvKL3P15A-k7rUevlXDlIqo49jB11uFA53drivx8eFoS29lZaMSY3hyR2l2bIgGhoLp1rsgPjMx0Gs5A5i8smLDBsK71zgKvLeX3jRsg6Eg3pRDDMbZsFxNeBj5WyNWKQ5MYpLZxreIN0Jw98pd91g4bsJRFgqrJGOjVGYC7vDn0Cap~lcMWzdv6WNPDxdCT~1eiPhbQ0wcrEmh0IWejLp5p~2RiHt79DwE0v0hFfiyUFedymR4Qkm0x0lHsTr5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A wave of public testimony about conditions at Hazelwood Elementary culminated late in the meeting when a board member introduced a motion to direct the superintendent to restore access to Hazelwood for the principal on special assignment, John Keelier.

Multiple parents, teachers and former colleagues had spoken earlier in the public comment period about what they described as the abrupt removal of a well‑liked principal and recent staffing turmoil at Hazelwood. Speakers said students had lost continuity in classroom coverage, music and technology instruction, and access to counseling, and they called for board action to restore community trust.

At the close of the public comment session, a board member asked the body to suspend the rules under Robert's Rules of Order and moved \"that the Board of Education directs the superintendent to restore access [to] Hazelwood School for Mr. John Keelier, principal on special assignment, to immediately support the Hazelwood school community.\" The mover described the item as a direction to the superintendent under the board’s statutory authority.

The motion, as introduced at the meeting, did not record a second or a roll‑call vote in the public transcript; the acting president proceeded to close the public portion and asked for a motion to adjourn. Several speakers had earlier publicly urged that the principal be reinstated; others who identified themselves as family members or staff also spoke in his support.

Why it matters: the motion reflects a flashpoint between the community and the board’s leadership about personnel and leadership decisions. Restoring access for a principal on assignment could affect building operations and local perceptions of board responsiveness.

What was said in public comment:
- Multiple parents described students who now resist attending school, missing classes and emotional distress after the principal’s removal. One parent said the school had \"spiraled\" and described teachers as \"not wanting to stay.\"
- Family members and former colleagues spoke in support of the principal's record and urged the board to correct what they called a mistake.

Board procedure and status: the mover cited NJSA 18A:11‑1 (board responsibility to oversee the district) as the authority for the direction; the motion’s text was read into the record and introduced under a rules suspension request. The transcript does not include a recorded vote on the motion; the meeting was then closed.

Ending: The introduced motion and the volume of public testimony leave the Hazelwood situation as an active point of contention; the transcript does not reflect whether the superintendent acted on the direction or whether the board took further action after adjournment.","Following intense public comment about personnel changes at Hazelwood School, a board member introduced a motion directing the superintendent to restore access for the district’s principal on special assignment; the motion was introduced under Robert's Rules but no final vote was recorded in the transcript.",{"_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},6629466,"Teachers, parents and students press Middlesex board over expired contract, staffing and program gaps",4246,4114000,8360000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2&start=4114&end=8360","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2/thumbnail_4114000.jpg","/articles/6629466/New-Jersey/Teachers-parents-and-students-press-Middlesex-board-over-expired-contract-staffing-and-program-gaps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629466-7125a676ebf8ba2134db6c084e8929a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453074&Signature=hm-i3rSWijIrc9BUi~Wk~EMFfd~H~T4y3ijSr0rXuKybdFBhChZwlx-j45egmxYGut~zClGhrCVYt2drS6LCYnhiBA7btYRTnwJ3IVets8wzufEuXueh8bv-xG32-zeLAGVfhCbMOQN0wKFmVwrnE7XcWAFQKC6QtlwmLewBKpdpmOlQErGYfI-YIA3cCPsyAg0pLe6Ijbf9PFjFiAJKmtTipyPezcuufqtpMvo9OPW8v1-EgCotgbqH6M3QLKfSxzMd-OLKHCCHhcmyoJgl7rIVSHHC9TX2mCV3UgmQfKwC64GYzcLbImV-JkJvX0jRBWugaMbkEszzNHylOMC2eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a lengthy public‑comment period Wednesday, teachers, parents, students and other residents pressed the Middlesex Borough School District Board of Education to resolve an expired teachers' contract and address staffing shortages they said are affecting classrooms across the district.

Teachers and parents said the district has been operating without a settled contract for some time and described an erosion of services at multiple elementary schools, including Hazelwood, Woodland and Parker. \"We don't want apologies — we want a contract,\" said a teacher who identified herself during public comment; multiple classroom teachers and the Middlesex Education Association representative urged the board to return to the bargaining table.

Several parents told the board their children lack access to regular music and technology instruction, have had rotating substitutes, or in some cases went without a guidance counselor for weeks. One parent described second‑grade classes at Hazelwood that had no long‑term substitute until parents raised the issue publicly. A student representative said a recent visiting speaker motivated students but contrasted that outreach with classroom instability.

Why it matters: district staff shortages and an unresolved contract affect daily classroom instruction, morale and retention. Parents and students said they are seeing program reductions and elevated churn in teaching staff at a time when residents expect stable services.

Examples from public comment:
- Hazelwood School: parents said a beloved principal was removed and classes have lacked consistent coverage, technology, music and a guidance counselor; they called the removal \"wrongful\" and said the changes have prompted student anxiety and crying.
- Teacher pay and contract: educators said many teachers work additional jobs to make ends meet and urged the board to prioritize settlement of a contract. \"Do the right thing. Give your teachers, your staff, and, yes, even your coaches the contract we so badly deserve,\" a teacher said.
- Safety and SROs: a parent and former educator called for school resource officers in elementary schools and a full‑time SRO at the high school, describing student safety as an urgent need.

Board response and process: board members listened throughout a prolonged public‑comment session. The board's public‑participation bylaw revision was discussed earlier in the meeting; one commenter asked whether the new language would prevent board members from responding during public comment. The acting board president answered that the president speaks for the board at meetings and that the bylaw language reflects that practice.

Quotes and attribution (selected):
- \"We have gone on long enough. We've been down this road in many years past as well,\" said a teacher who identified herself as having 15 years in the district, calling for good‑faith bargaining.
- \"If you are to walk into any one of these schools, you would see clearly that these teachers are working their butts off without a contract,\" said parent Nicole Luciano during public comment about conditions at Hazelwood.

Next steps and context: public speakers asked the board to prioritize negotiation, to post and fill vacant positions (technology, music, long‑term subs) and to create a transparent plan to stabilize classrooms. Several speakers urged the board to use incoming state aid and one‑time funds to prioritize staff retention rather than new administrative hires.

Ending: The volume and detail of public comment stretched the meeting; the board closed the public session after more than an hour of testimony and indicated it would consider public concerns in upcoming committee work and in budget deliberations.","Dozens of teachers, parents and students told the Middlesex board the district is operating under an expired contract, citing shortages of substitutes, missing music and technology instruction, and rising staff turnover; speakers urged the board to prioritize contract negotiations and teacher retention.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6629472,"Middlesex board sends tentative $46.8 million budget to county, proposes 2% tax levy increase",1016,2094000,3110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2&start=2094&end=3110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703750-786a20f9c5ccf9ba13551bc44c66dae2/thumbnail_2094000.jpg","/articles/6629472/New-Jersey/Middlesex-board-sends-tentative-468-million-budget-to-county-proposes-2-tax-levy-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6629472-24a3586182d71fc759e89a0674409faa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770453074&Signature=H0wa-ASdC~XJbdO014SkzSFhlUWqadVA08ggBOdGOHWJLmpTrnJejO3ryYJK6yMduK~u2cJyTe4b6f76Oh-Af~FPJUWIr1-m4NycKp4n68dI4~njhy1SFpCxNXt4z4dHvDx-GvCmHOns1PD9DXDspymtIHNkmqLOaN~Aey9tIo78AC5-F6NBg7UD1IHdhUconLdE~hkalr~LTk2MFAJLaJs1gtzyYBHONfkVI902ldMhMWZdN0QqTdBrtr-tHUxungKQ1GQfJwZBMMz89IIXLKS7N2ljtXoRDlFTCxHehbj-QFT447AOHbo4KPBk1gyC8EaVWrw3DH5dI04NKnE9Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Middlesex Borough School District Board of Education voted Wednesday to submit its tentative 2025–26 general fund budget to the county, seeking approval to move the plan to the county review stage ahead of a public hearing and final vote in April.

Superintendent Dr. Roberta Freeman presented the budget and initiatives, and board members approved the finance and facilities items that authorize submission to the county. \"Take a minute, and I need you to think about your why,\" Freeman told the board during the presentation, framing planned expenditures around student outcomes.

The budget presentation said the district's calculated budget target is roughly $46.8 million, with the proposed local tax levy up 2% and state aid increasing about 4.62 percent compared with the prior year. The presentation reported employee benefits rising about 11 percent in the proposed figures and noted that participation in the state health benefits program would have driven a higher increase (roughly 25 percent) but that the district had avoided that larger jump.

Why it matters: submitting the tentative budget to the county begins a required review under New Jersey law and triggers a public hearing process. Board members emphasized the submission is an interim step; the board will hold a public hearing and vote on a final budget on April 24.

Key budget elements and supporting details included in the district presentation:
- Preschool expansion and early‑grade investments: the separate preschool program is planned to serve about 75 students next year and remain a full‑day, six‑hour program using the Connect for Learning (C4L) curriculum. The presentation credited prior-year investments in teacher assistants in kindergarten classrooms with marked benchmark gains.
- Instructional and professional resources: the budget includes continued funding for Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) across K–5, guided math supports, research‑based science and social studies resources, benchmarking/data warehousing and embedded professional development.
- Facilities and capital work: the district plans to use maintenance‑reserve funds for new public‑address (PA) systems across buildings, and capital reserves to fund a new roof, replacement sections at Sam Smith Parker, and a parking lot project at Parker School. The budget also includes a trailer rental for Watchung to create a classroom space and address crowding.
- Appropriations breakout: employee benefits were described as about 15 percent of the proposed budget. Instructional salaries and support services remain the largest shares of appropriations; out‑of‑district tuition was budgeted with only two contingency slots for incoming students.

Board process and timing: the board chair noted the county must receive the tentative budget by the stated deadline (the presentation said the budget needed to be submitted by midnight that night). The county performs a review under the state's school funding law to determine whether the proposed budget provides a \"thorough and efficient\" education; the county may issue comments or require changes. The board will consider any county recommendations and then hold the April 24 public hearing and final vote.

Quotes and reactions: during public comment several residents and parents questioned the timing and the proposed levy increase and urged the board to prioritize teacher pay and contract settlement over some planned new spending. Acting Board President (noted during the meeting as the vice president filling in) said the submission to the county is an administrative step and that the board will vote on the final budget after the county review.

Next steps: the board forwarded the tentative budget for county review and scheduled the public hearing and final approval vote for April 24. The district will also continue to refine line items and respond to county comments between the submission and final vote.

Ending: The budget presentation tied planned spending to a multi‑year district strategy the board described as \"Portrait of a Graduate,\" and district leaders emphasized the April public hearing as the next opportunity for public input before final adoption.","The Middlesex Borough School District board voted to submit its tentative 2025–26 general fund budget to the county for review, proposing a 2% tax levy increase and citing a $46.8 million target budget, planned capital projects and preschool expansion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: minutes, personnel and policy items approved; board forwards finance items to county

Parents demand reinstatement of Hazelwood principal; board member moves to restore his access

Teachers, parents and students press Middlesex board over expired contract, staffing and program gaps

Middlesex board sends tentative $46.8 million budget to county, proposes 2% tax levy increase