[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6118612,"mediaKeyId","2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4","parentId",2723069,"title","Prevention group tells Vernon board nicotine, potent cannabis remain risks despite lower overall youth use","audioSeconds",4423,"startMs",707000,"endMs",5130000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4&start=707&end=5130","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4/thumbnail_707000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118612/New-Jersey/Prevention-group-tells-Vernon-board-nicotine-potent-cannabis-remain-risks-despite-lower-overall-youth-use","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118612-fc57bcda721f6c54a3567a8626f5445c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161161&Signature=K8RZ42hz9RPyY1vBkW4zOFOa0F~ZzU8mJ4ojd75yHlFcSjOfmMVFiq7CAV7gtUGdfmZ0P9oGsT2Q439vrcgrTdHme9R4lhOM4hTO-2eWMJMstG8c4ZSc3yBTdovxSSSNOm9OOapS9TGWdNjlubTLUfigfXzx2lolUrjoZxHgfWLz5RDmqTm2B-hE~4QhF~dJ9TpT2K0a56XkDuGf9VMLt-bJCwQcOMxUCiOrDPGam54mh-0rKyALOmDLHaVIZTi~zCv6wby7Sl9wtSwfUA6VmhDH95UYSI0rwX9SCRhgPfOWmMRT5jeB5RtizQ9kCkZvWeVqcg2GoCvDcbVRhb92WA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Vernon Township School District","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Tina Awey, director of prevention at the Center for Prevention and Counseling, told the Vernon Township Board of Education on March 20 that youth use of substances in Sussex County has “trended downward” overall but that the products being used now are “more dangerous than they've ever been.”

Awey said prevention work aims to delay the first use of alcohol, nicotine and marijuana because early use raises the risk of later problems. “Our job as prevention specialists is to delay the onset of use for as long as possible,” she said.

Awey and agency colleagues warned about counterfeit pills and high‑potency cannabis: they said law enforcement has found fentanyl in many pills seized nationally and that THC levels in some vaping cartridges can reach 60–80 percent or higher. Awey cited federal seizure data discussed in the presentation, saying about “5 out of the 10 pills” confiscated had lethal doses of fentanyl at peak points.

Elise, the agency’s Northern New Jersey coordinator, described local policy options and enforcement gaps for retailers and online sales. Ashley, the agency’s prevention supervisor, summarized school‑based programming run in Vernon for grades 2–8 and said the group is seeking grant funding to extend a ninth‑grade program next year.

Presenters described school‑based alternatives to suspension for students caught with vape devices. Aspen‑style online programs and a peer program called Incorruptible.us were cited as local options; Awey highlighted Aspire — an online, MD Anderson–linked module used as an in‑school alternative for first offenses. “If they're suspended outside of school, they're most likely still vaping,” a presenter said in explaining why in‑school alternatives are preferred.

The presenters urged parents and educators to watch for flavored, concealable vapes and devices that mimic USBs, and to treat vape devices as potential delivery systems for either nicotine or THC because they are difficult to distinguish visually.

Board members and residents asked how students obtain devices. Presenters said the main channels are vape shops, online retailers and social networks. On enforcement, presenters noted state and federal actions — including an attorney general letter and FDA civil penalties — but said inspections and enforcement capacity are limited, and that municipalities can use local licensing and fines to restrict sales.

The presentation also listed local funding partners and programs that support prevention work in Vernon, including New Jersey Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, opioid settlement funds from the county, and grants from Newton Medical Center. Attendees were given printed materials and contact information for follow‑up.

The presentation was followed by a short question‑and‑answer period with board members and residents about program access and enforcement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting March 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tina Awey, director of prevention at the Center for Prevention and Counseling, told the Vernon Township Board of Education on March 20 that youth substance use has trended downward overall but that the products being used now are “more dangerous than they've ever been.”","taxTitle","Vernon Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",54426,"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},6118602,"Parents and board members press district over Innovamat math contract and scope changes",792,7788000,8580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4&start=7788&end=8580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4/thumbnail_7788000.jpg","/articles/6118602/New-Jersey/Parents-and-board-members-press-district-over-Innovamat-math-contract-and-scope-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118602-0f69aed1f3d957392765ddb3fd1fea5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161161&Signature=JzSy1puxtS7E67n9UT2rSUu9~fWK7JkD1kVBd-PY5HPcIXKQpsiRr7P~HRrHVRdtD~KUZgN08YZFOvb42MoEC5UrYxQHb5ATfpOt~HA7nA1ddWEpnvKidv7jeUtPCLYafStIJmPCCcSD5vjug7fjuYhP0v2WN9HUCPIFlijc6SX-uIWXwcqiZATt6ALupWXUvxhD4v-Kl8UkqNw~wq9Su4O7s-HjeTYURWUvRX9mlQMXZNf4mxkOcGwBcrKkJNg2aHICH9kPqYNM2aSkxDriuNV9tV8tR8Wxvcp8gTyC13Sz~RTGaSiuKD6SyG7~mTfbWxEj42DjDJN-jBGYi6GCVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the March 20 public comment period to press the board about the district’s contract with Innovamat, a K–5 math curriculum vendor, and about subsequent revisions approved earlier by the board.

Carolyn Incarnato, a resident, said the district’s original agreement included a large prepayment schedule that she described as inappropriate for public funds and said a later revision changed grade coverage and increased per‑pupil pricing over future years. “Prepayment with public taxpayer funds is not okay,” she said, and said she was concerned the district might have to replace fourth‑ and fifth‑grade materials after the amendment.

Jessie Palladini and other commenters asked why board members had not raised the contract details when the amendments were before the board. Several residents requested district test data and evidence of Innovamat’s effect on student outcomes.

Business Administrator Ray Slam and Superintendent Russ Rogers responded that the payment schedule complained of appears in the original contract signed before Slam’s tenure and that the more recent revision kept the same per‑pupil pricing for the years compared. Rogers said the district has an ongoing curriculum‑review process and that the curriculum committee and pilots have informed decisions. “For grades K through 3 mathematics, we have implemented Inova Math, and our third grade math scores last year were 10% higher than the state average,” Rogers said during his remarks about curriculum review.

Rogers said the district is reviewing math and ELA curricula for other grade spans and will pilot alternative programs; he and board members said details were discussed in curriculum committee meetings and that negotiating contract terms while discussions were ongoing limited what could prudently be disclosed in public before the board reached agreement.

Members of the public said they would like clearer, regular reporting on pilot results and the district’s measures of student progress so parents can assess return on investment. Board members agreed to continue discussing curriculum outcomes in committee and to share research and pilot findings with the public as decisions are finalized.","Public commenters and some board members said an Innovamat contract amendment and payment schedule raised concerns about prepayment, scope changes for grades 4–5 and ultimate cost. District leaders said the original contract included the payment terms and that curriculum review and piloting continue.",{"_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},6118607,"Vernon board submits budget to county, approves grants, facilities projects and vape‑sensor donation",500,7080000,7580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4&start=7080&end=7580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2723069-4716117ae0a69890501eb0aa833992f4/thumbnail_7080000.jpg","/articles/6118607/New-Jersey/Vernon-board-submits-budget-to-county-approves-grants-facilities-projects-and-vapesensor-donation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118607-b4bd62268237d9998e963df692773523/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161161&Signature=j~SC~-iVqpgmf4YR0aWFhVBFFIeLJz0-MxBkeI6l756Isq2a3154Lw0REKU3cZvbeRBmq4xrsbXMbImhkK0reUuJfvh3nFnagXKDBrdcHildBZpMKDmZJouNwazuUsy9JFbiS9tLIH-r0xRJIKIlLlLBSyOaZD2CALzNEn4jtlcOovu4gkSuc84QGaWSnBezn2BfTJx6eaG9R1Ufsin-V7mkMaX8UshpE1Dhrr0vVrauX-6PLhIMKC3eDn-2lfWNX9YnFhSmJapMXU~B8pzZfiBRVC1hAksGTwsyea1afzrFE2tPxvk1Py7D89eYZ5UYOUmV4YSgqlFE4OTfu5FMag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Vernon Township Board of Education on March 20 voted to submit its 2025–26 budget package to the county for review and approved a slate of financial and facilities items, including grant applications and professional services proposals.

Business Administrator Ray Slam told the board the budget package was submitted to the county for review. “The update is that, essentially, it was submitted to the county yesterday for a review,” he said during the business administrator’s report.

The board approved financial reports and the board secretary’s and treasurer’s reports, transportation contracts and bids, and the disposition or sale of district surplus equipment. The board also accepted a county donation of vape sensors at no cost to the district to extend the sensors already in use.

Superintendent Russ Rogers highlighted recent district fiscal work by the business administrator, saying the district secured preschool expansion funding and other cost savings. Rogers said Mr. Slam “spearheading the application for the preschool expansion aid has been transformative, securing over $6,800,000 for our preschool program over a 2 year time period and allowing parents to send their children to the preschool free of charge.”

The board approved professional services proposals from USA Architects for three small projects: an elevator upgrade at Vernon Township High School, an elevator upgrade at Lansbury Hollow School, and hot‑water‑heater replacements at the high school. Separate approvals covered well‑pump and filtration work at Walnut Ridge Preschool and a list of routine contracts for student transportation and special‑education routes.

An addendum approval authorized a contracted DJ for the senior prom. The board also authorized submission of the preschool education aid application for 2025–26 and accepted a $1,260 donation from the Woman’s Club for student items.

Board members asked routine questions about disposal items, the class of facility users and lease fees for building use; administrators said surplus items will be sold “as is” through an online auction service and that some donations and fees offset custodial or security costs for outside events.

A roll call followed the motion; the clerk recorded the motion as carried. No contested emergency votes were reported.","The Vernon Township Board of Education submitted its budget package to the county and approved financial reports, the donation of vape sensors from the county, professional services with USA Architects for elevator and mechanical upgrades, and other routine fiscal and procurement items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Prevention group tells Vernon board nicotine, potent cannabis remain risks despite lower overall youth use

Parents and board members press district over Innovamat math contract and scope changes

Vernon board submits budget to county, approves grants, facilities projects and vape‑sensor donation