[{"_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",6581397,"mediaKeyId","3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706","parentId",3141241,"title","Students urge district to preserve ISL option; board cites state standards and safety checks","audioSeconds",357,"startMs",1012000,"endMs",1369000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706&start=1012&end=1369","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706/thumbnail_1012000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6581397/New-Jersey/Students-urge-district-to-preserve-ISL-option-board-cites-state-standards-and-safety-checks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581397-1a1545afd49de7c4529a11cfd36757a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548859&Signature=OTEYRJvz4X84uG9amsLMgNToChTMMEHgVUPNw9Svl6p8Wn38UBFVBmiKGPvXj2Cy8zjQXLN6LP8TMCPZEdvQB8-Lsp2MNzzmx7N4wBDG~nbaazFcp2G-3M6z7Xj5fJAEl41GKhyEJBlmEwOZwY8H0NAGt0nA70V2JudhDJ-bEeC-tvn3igBVjHnzAHeFMG0O2NDvhLpYd5iwAFN7o3cSsLN6S62m14ZkrrzqmqppFaMMVh22fQtSoGz8A45Duj~1qpPbY6~MxQlnxgWjOzBhftPQDiWmpQAk8JB9VgzdKtrRxmZwugRS2hHKGlZVIECat1tf8uJSiI-OE74~8GDrSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","School District of the Chathams","date","2025-04-29T00:40:55.54Z","article","Members of the public returned to the School District of the Chathams board meeting to press the board to preserve the district's Individualized Student Learning (ISL) option, also described as “Option 2,” which allows students to meet graduation requirements through individualized, out-of-school learning experiences.

Two students described how ISL enabled them to balance intense training schedules with academics. “I dance a minimum of 3 hours a day, 7 days a week during the school year, and I'm going to take 2 APs and 2 honors classes next year,” said Emily Smith, who spoke in the public comment period. She told the board she would “benefit from the ISL program” and proposed measures such as background checks to address administration concerns. Sofia Smith, a senior, said ISL helped her complete the Girl Scout Gold Award and finish college application essays, and credited the program for allowing her to retain electives and academic opportunities while training.

Board members and administrators acknowledged the benefits students described but said the district must make sure any ISL offerings meet state requirements and include appropriate safety and oversight. “It's simply that these private programs are not designed to meet the state standards,” one board member said, adding that background checks and ongoing monitoring would be necessary. The board referenced NJAC 6A, Section 8 — the state regulation the speakers cited — as the authority that permits districts to approve individualized learning opportunities. A district representative explained that NJAC 6A Section 8 allows boards to establish alternative paths to satisfy graduation requirements, and that the ISL program began with that framework.

Administrators said they do not want to dismiss the program and pledged to continue the conversation with families and stakeholders. Staff noted practical concerns the board must resolve: establishing and documenting that out-of-school experiences meet New Jersey Student Learning Standards, ensuring continuous background checks or vetting of third-party providers, and setting meaningful monitoring and review processes. The board emphasized that some students have had strongly positive experiences in ISL while others have raised safety or standards concerns, and that policy adjustments must address both kinds of reports.

The public speakers recommended the board study the “Option 2” implementations in nearby districts and consider formal revisions so dance and other private athletic activities can count toward required credits when properly documented. Board members said staff would follow up and provide more information about the legal and procedural steps required to expand or formalize ISL.

The discussion closed with a commitment to continue exploring how ISL can be preserved or restructured to meet state standards and safety requirements while serving students who require flexible schedules.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chatham BOE 04/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the public urged the board to retain the district's Individualized Student Learning option so students can meet graduation requirements while pursuing high-level athletic and artistic commitments.","taxTitle","School District of the Chathams, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",65205,"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},6581385,"Board approves personnel, finance and policy items; several donations and the final budget cleared",290,2230000,2520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706&start=2230&end=2520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706/thumbnail_2230000.jpg","/articles/6581385/New-Jersey/Board-approves-personnel-finance-and-policy-items-several-donations-and-the-final-budget-cleared","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581385-9e794b9314c5e37561e019ced80a9300/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548859&Signature=k6VpBgjiv0lYI1KDHJPYiyes5rMJguPB3WUog6D4Y9yPCU7GpScDrLWjw8MHsCH2F5G9X~lla1eZCiOORy6brX6XPchhGDZh11yDywD1~nh03Up2WhX1Az87uhuPlcmoov~pU0AXPlqj1xpgZ9hsZHSDYJxp6TkXEJG5~em5UVqjrW1M3Ca3Ab2z7Gxh-USuN50KyqpCR5ZKJMD9gwaV7XKc~fnSKZvqbJQ02TQcf0cVqD9ADsvEXDeWqtzvKDgE8QF3RYkws-KXqVNP8onYvvqE-U1RL2kKZpolgXkQVr1GKXtF0sCxYAsdzXjOCGKOko~0edoNw5x4Db309yTvxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School District of the Chathams Board of Education voted on a slate of administrative and budget items and recorded multiple donations during the meeting.

Minutes: The board moved to approve the minutes from the March 17 public session and the April 2 special meeting. The March 17 minutes were approved with recorded yes votes from members present. The April 2 special meeting minutes recorded abstentions from Miss Ross, Miss Beck and Mister Smith; the minutes otherwise passed as the majority voted in favor.

Personnel: The board approved agenda items A1 through A28 on the regular personnel agenda and an addendum (including item A29, an amendment to add additional sections for an ASL teacher to meet increased demand). The motion to approve personnel items passed 9–0.

Finance and facilities: The board approved agenda items B1 through B18, which included the final budget (listed as item B6) and multiple donations: $25,000 from the Chatham Middle School PTO toward a new playground; $6,000 from the Chatham High School PTO for main-lobby painting; approximately $2,900 for a high-school podcasting class grant from the Chatham Education Foundation; a $10,000 donation from the Chatham Baseball Club for maintenance; a Bank of America donation designated at the superintendent's discretion; a donation from Group RAISE for spring track supplies; and donated musical instruments from the Von Hagel family. The finance package passed 9–0.

Curriculum and policy items: A curriculum item (listed as item 9) and a policy item D1 (renewal of an emergency evacuation agreement) were each moved and approved during the meeting; the votes were recorded as passing 9–0.

Overall, the board carried the personnel, finance, curriculum and policy packages that were placed on the consent agenda without substantive debate, while recording a small number of abstentions on the April 2 minutes.","The School District of the Chathams board voted on minutes, personnel agendas, finance and facilities items (including the final budget and several donations) and a policy renewal. Most packages passed unanimously; the April 2 minutes recorded three abstentions.",{"_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},6581389,"District weighing dyslexia screener, reassigns library duties to fund full-day kindergarten",171,172000,343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706&start=172&end=343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706/thumbnail_172000.jpg","/articles/6581389/New-Jersey/District-weighing-dyslexia-screener-reassigns-library-duties-to-fund-full-day-kindergarten","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581389-ce4c2cdff46bd076706213e1e9ce9be5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548859&Signature=CYp99P-djL4oQ-dS7WHqnIWCARIcTAReqr89rneAas7Z9Mu2vnlet5-uX2eI~qTaVK~leH1ha4wTo~lG~23jsx8Y2LTroUoN~7YR3FAnh~TqfgEot0AkNXPxWcJ5gP8rpRMRTLXsBBZutpL7wcFBUNHfwftCrVKv9v~KAqOw6idEzd-neGLHFQDoeyIz5g5WVycZ00rIShtdWVipMAhXaoeeEvFzobVuI3J21FBtLFE~A9U3sVRatYKbhfIWwbaEYHhoGeJlCNAYaEq~Llq5WuqeWXULX-b6YRxEmJpDe1CBkDoDoMFPs6y8s3rNLnHJN4DFHgw8vSCizcDal0w1Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The School District of the Chathams curriculum committee reported to the full board that it is evaluating screening tools to comply with Governor Phil Murphy's directive that New Jersey school districts implement a universal dyslexia screener by the start of the upcoming school year.

\"We are currently considering two tools: MAP Reading Fluency, which is the one currently utilized in the district, and another called Imagine Learning's Early Bird program,\" said Miss Ross, who summarized the committee's April 9 meeting. Both tools are computer-adaptive and would be administered in homerooms three times a year (fall, midyear and late spring). The district plans staff training during professional development days in August and a follow-up session in October on interpreting screener data.

The committee also reviewed library-media staffing at the K–2 schools after the announced retirement of a long-time specialist at SBS, Michael Deloia. After discussion of schedules and the impending removal of third grade from elementary buildings, the board decided not to fill the K–2 specialist position. Instead, the district will rotate the current media specialist across K–2 buildings so students receive library instruction every other week, with homeroom teachers covering book selection on the off weeks and specials teachers filling slots when available.

The board said the staffing change will yield cost savings that the district will redirect to add library staff at the middle school and, notably, to offer full-day, tuition-free kindergarten for the first time. \"The cost savings will allow us to redirect resources, including adding library staff at the middle school and most notably offering full day tuition free kindergarten for the first time,\" Miss Ross said. The committee and board said they believe the plan balances support for youngest learners with broader district priorities.

Committee members said they will inform the board as they finalize the district's choice of dyslexia screening tool and timelines for implementation and staff training.","The curriculum committee reviewed Governor Murphy's directive to adopt a universal dyslexia screener and discussed two screening tools. The board also decided not to replace a retiring K–2 library media specialist and will rotate existing staff, reallocating savings to hire middle school library staff and offer tuition-free full-day kindergarten.",{"_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},6581393,"Public urges bell-to-bell phone ban; district cites cost and enforcement limits",988,740000,1728000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706&start=740&end=1728","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141241-ac5b23d6021c27890063a6825fd35706/thumbnail_740000.jpg","/articles/6581393/New-Jersey/Public-urges-bell-to-bell-phone-ban-district-cites-cost-and-enforcement-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6581393-57fb3d5972aad2af908fa9b6dd772a76/orig.mp4?Expires=1770548859&Signature=V-dvNsEWUv10MRQvsBFL9LfKAvXzJ5FiNIedSfGwdhSPzmpOFtrzXm12ik7oKU8I-m5Law4upLtlGQmQHO4XCoUV8vYRiuxKueiECMBbUknDEdv8dsj1b0MoXz2gdzexpOohOI9I~ykuR~0JAex1oBxbJ5SB2DaCSyl5dIgvXbkBLCEcZMq2vuD3Lh4JRwT3YtJj2-DQ51me3hRp-t6S6vCNBFI6pCPR8pY13dANM1-zu9jPLheoPcQBu0Rx1DDuDMfk-NpY72lEpX0zxfu0eOw9lgD7OMu1yfjVQkU5~0YPMPNIY0MM094HkG7yMmOYidtj-xTxFoL3nroti-YMqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public comment, resident Bill Heap urged the School District of the Chathams to adopt a bell-to-bell cell phone ban similar to a recent Virginia law that restricts student phone possession and use during the entire school day.

\"Class to class. I think bell to bell is a better proposition for this, and maybe Doctor Sortino should make this a priority for the coming year,\" Heap said, citing outcomes reported from districts that implemented strict bans.

Board members and administrators responded with details about the district's current practices and practical limitations. A district official explained that classrooms already require phones to be placed in locked pouches during instructional periods; the district considered a bell-to-bell system but identified several obstacles: the cost of purchasing pouches and staffing arrival/ dismissal points; the risk that students would place inactive or “dummy” phones in pouches; and the difficulty of policing locker storage across large student populations.

\"We would still, consider a bell to bell ban because I think that it's better for students,\" the administrator said, but added that the district had not found full-day implementation feasible at present. The official noted that the district has code-of-conduct provisions and escalated disciplinary responses for repeated or serious infractions, including recording students without permission.

Board members said they have discussed the research on phone use and youth well-being and hold differing views about the need for a full ban. One board member said the district's role is to teach students appropriate technology use and noted infractions have decreased since the district tightened in-class restrictions.

Administrators said the district will continue parent informational sessions and counseling supports to address problematic social-media behavior that often occurs outside school hours but can have in-school effects. They also said they will monitor how the current pouch system performs and reassess whether broader restrictions are feasible.","Public commenters and some board members recommended a strict \"bell-to-bell\" ban on student cell phones. District officials said the pouch system and existing prohibitions largely cover instructional time, but a full-day ban poses logistical, cost and enforcement challenges.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Students urge district to preserve ISL option; board cites state standards and safety checks

Board approves personnel, finance and policy items; several donations and the final budget cleared

District weighing dyslexia screener, reassigns library duties to fund full-day kindergarten

Public urges bell-to-bell phone ban; district cites cost and enforcement limits