[{"_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",6536397,"mediaKeyId","3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce","parentId",3797155,"title","Residents press board on rising energy bills, transportation staffing and future capacity","audioSeconds",1067,"startMs",6084000,"endMs",7151000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce&start=6084&end=7151","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce/thumbnail_6084000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6536397/New-Jersey/Residents-press-board-on-rising-energy-bills-transportation-staffing-and-future-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536397-559ee29cc34cab3496e24be62bcfed91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=ixzL-NQK5knk-GuT0a2zwe0Vj6qOjtROb5zfB4VHDAtegoSiYkGeKliArwjzLuIG6hC3peRcPCz22jtLzU~gdy4DzXoRHOCORVtrTjEixBlP5LVepYcSxk~MYQmkw3nEQnu3WuPG-YY7~IRcgZMRdTVBJtIsfSnFiKtJj1CsWPT6SmouWGbj80rqt1pQ2L~43WcEqJFGIJhwOEKznJI9FRRUjHmSfKsz-L5vWO~U-IVq0wNaQ7lVXIscKhmXR1b9wynxDXljWEJaI8qgQ~Q532RfOlzdvIJTjsaKv-tXnkpzu9MWBTOTvteQECJdoCyeNV3zt0qwbL20-XuU95NNTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mount Olive Township School District","date","2025-06-10T09:59:10.84Z","article","During the public-comment period, several Mount Olive residents raised operational and long-term-planning concerns with the board.

Energy costs and audit request: Resident Martin Welsmuller (25 Wickers Avenue) asked the board for a further review of rising energy expenses and whether solar fields and current contracts are offsetting utility bills. Welsmuller noted several large utility entries on the district’s bill list and asked whether an audit could identify why energy spending has increased. The superintendent responded that the district has engaged Amaresco to perform an energy audit and that the district is reviewing utility usage as part of long-range planning.

Transportation staffing and abolished positions: Welsmuller and others asked about personnel changes in the transportation office. The resident noted recent praise for a transportation employee earlier in the year and asked why the board was abolishing positions such as the coordinated dispatcher and transportation secretary. The superintendent said the department was being reconfigured to meet the district’s changing size and needs; the board advised that personnel matters were under the district’s administrative purview.

Scoreboard and revenue opportunities: Resident Tony Strelacci urged the board to accelerate plans to activate the high-school stadium scoreboard as a revenue source. Strelacci said the scoreboard could generate advertising revenue and urged the district to model programs used by neighboring towns that have monetized scoreboard advertising. Board members said proposals and vendor materials had been reviewed and that implementation work is underway.

Referendum and long-range facilities planning: Multiple speakers urged the board to act promptly on long-range capacity planning and a possible facilities referendum. Strelacci and another resident, Martin Walsmuller, warned that limited developable land in the township could constrain future school-building opportunities and urged the board to coordinate with township officials and the public well before a ballot question. One speaker recommended a referendum focused strictly on classroom additions rather than a broader package of projects.

Special-education and safety concerns: A parent, Brianne Diletto (1 Renault Drive), asked the board to examine systemic special-education compliance issues, citing repeated delays in evaluations, inconsistent incorporation of parent input and concerns about handling incidents involving students with disabilities. Diletto requested a district compliance audit, improved data tracking and targeted staff training. The board accepted the comments for the public record and noted the district’s ongoing work on related policies.

Board members acknowledged the concerns, cited existing strategic planning work on energy and long-range facilities, and said relevant staff would follow up. No immediate board action was taken during the public-comment period; the items raised were entered into the public record for further administrative follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting 6/9/25","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents told the board they are concerned about escalating energy costs, changes in transportation staffing and the need to prepare now for future enrollment growth and a facilities referendum.","taxTitle","Mount Olive Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",55585,"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},6536402,"Mount Olive schools honor retirees and student programs; 58 students earn Seal of Biliteracy",3332,683000,4015000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce&start=683&end=4015","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce/thumbnail_683000.jpg","/articles/6536402/New-Jersey/Mount-Olive-schools-honor-retirees-and-student-programs-58-students-earn-Seal-of-Biliteracy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536402-3667e9c565281e2549335ebdfbe0873b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=MZEjnH4Fe2b5V0dZC9RLoC~LABAJObAWxGodX9umrC0r0HDfz1tvnizyVXdfuqqEQM2VFPRCOEdRedCtZtrqztgrlqLBeGWu3XpI2s~E33XHrJBVeNkv8I3LKve4YSMyNOv3DKStW-6-lD8B7HVVZSygLQN~7Uo0XzQYmAdSmTF73D6RivRPf2PXtBwPNxr3EQWIPTG~Vg6CBfskhXJXdJeBEfqR2n83MXQxFJAPlPZ5JKXfiw~pSmtYVwTDXbxNpwZZnEt2kcbPh9~HYd2gZcF~rV-V5QevVzjjir9qGpr9LgV-ghy17C95OZcUg5ajRkKOYXu4BeBgBZ-Qu~Xfrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Olive Township Board of Education’s superintendent’s report on June 2025 centered on year-end recognitions: the district honored 20 retirees, presented awards to student groups and recognized academic and extracurricular achievements across the district.

Student recognitions included a report from student liaison Nora Riske, who congratulated the class of 2025 and summarized senior awards, noting that “over $65,000 in scholarships were awarded to the class of 2025.” The board also presented a resolution honoring Ms. Riske for her service as student liaison.

The board and administration recognized a broad set of school programs:

- Best Buddies and Unified: Advisors and student leaders described year-round activities that pair students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies advisors said the program’s mission focuses on “1-to-1 friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and inclusive living.” Unified Club leaders highlighted inclusive sports (bowling, soccer, basketball, track), whole-school engagement and leadership development. The board praised both programs for promoting inclusion districtwide.

- Seal of Biliteracy: Veronica Cruz, World Language teacher and co-adviser, announced that 58 students (34 seniors and 24 juniors) earned the district seal for demonstrated proficiency in languages other than English. Languages recognized included Bengali, Bosnian, Czech, Filipino, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Marathi, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Telugu, Turkish and Urdu. Cruz said the Seal “reflects global citizenship, cultural understanding, and academic excellence.”

- Performing arts: The district highlighted the drama program’s season (including Grease and The Prom), festival nominations and awards, and scholarship distributions at the drama banquet. The superintendent and advisors listed multiple festival honors and regional awards achieved by students and staff.

- Robotics: Don Burry and program leaders presented a summary of a successful year for the district’s K–12 robotics teams. The FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) team won district and regional honors, received an Impact Award, advanced at the world championship in Houston, and was recognized as a “global first recognition school.” The program secured a $56,000 grant to support K–12 programming; leaders noted over $2 million in scholarships have been generated from the program over recent years.

- Athletics: The district honored spring championship teams, coaches with 20-plus years of service and student-athletes recognized for academic and athletic achievements. The athletic department also reported data from a new health-and-roster system, including the number of diagnosed concussions and other injury statistics for the year.

Administrators encouraged community members to attend and support upcoming events, including graduation exercises scheduled for June 18 with a rain date on June 19. The superintendent’s report was largely celebratory and informational; no formal policy decisions were taken during these recognitions.

Quotes from the meeting capture the tone: student liaison Nora Riske said it “has been an honor to represent the student body at this board of education meeting,” and world-language adviser Veronica Cruz called the Seal of Biliteracy “a distinction that reflects global citizenship, cultural understanding, and academic excellence.”","The board recognized 20 retirees and multiple student programs, highlighted Best Buddies and Unified inclusion programming, celebrated performing-arts and robotics achievements, and recognized 58 juniors and seniors who earned the Seal of Biliteracy.",{"_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},6536407,"Mount Olive BOE approves consent agenda; several members record no or abstain votes",176,1020000,1196000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce&start=1020&end=1196","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3797155-16372713bbb0d60adadff2cc4668a5ce/thumbnail_1020000.jpg","/articles/6536407/New-Jersey/Mount-Olive-BOE-approves-consent-agenda-several-members-record-no-or-abstain-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6536407-c2934002d4452def8dee24ab68e55ab1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166033&Signature=hg~67lmc4Eg6zN~k5fGQqoGUN2wXcGUg6wdjDaph4d5-54h~bJ10hWT~CPe3v3wcEKjmPM6X9IEMlIrJ9XDcGi4zvsetA8l3-arsNEqCy7zk9mvmSYc8V0xrTWwCLm4bfWGDn2W7x5dbMtZDOjgNtfTsleVdLescz1gzVck-bbcVqfAlk-1-20Bw4UXtIQs4193q29deSGTfbmTUZjau3cpyG8uGDAXo2WZ2SRQzH8~fkhYie9~OTlOCGUMMgfkzPV7rv-MtnO-v0m63yZ-xNcVjA0RF3S64QuWkkRnFI1V-M5UjrY-suxOVTtRzkLutYS9QjU0-NgE1VvixlRe-Kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mount Olive Township Board of Education approved its consent agenda covering action items 7.1 through 11.2 after brief amendments and a roll-call vote on June 2025.

Board President Miss Schoening announced updates to two items before the vote: agenda item 10.6 was amended to set dates of hire “from June 3 to July 21, not to exceed 19,500, with an update and review on July 21,” and agenda item 8.3 had its dollar amount updated in the meeting to read \"$150\" as stated on the record. The board then moved to a single motion to approve the full package and took a roll-call vote.

The motion passed. A recorded roll call shows several members casting either “no” votes on specific items or abstaining on items related to special education. Doctor Frank Giordano (board member) recorded “no on 10/2006, yes to everything else.” Missus Aquino recorded “no to +1, but yes to everything else.” Missus O'Neil abstained on any items “that have to do with Christian Humphrey or special ed,” and cast yes votes on other items. Other board members recorded yes votes. Doctor Giordano is a member of the board; Missus Aquino, Missus Figueroa, Missus Fitzgerald, Missus Narcisse, Mister Orzillo and Missus Fenton were among those recorded as voting yes on the package. The motion was seconded on the floor as recorded.

The board did not discuss the substance of every consent item in public at length during the vote; several committee reports and personnel matters had been reviewed in committee sessions earlier in the meeting. The amended 10.6 and the updated dollar amount for 8.3 were read into the record immediately before the vote and recorded by the board secretary.

The board’s approval advances the listed personnel appointments, contracts and other routine business on the district agenda. The public record of the meeting shows the vote breakdown by member and notes the amendments; detailed motion language and committee minutes were available with the meeting materials.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve action items 7.1–11.2 as amended (10.6 amended; 8.3 dollar amount updated to \"$150\" as read into the record)
- Mover: not specified in the roll call exchange
- Second: Doctor Frank Giordano (recorded)
- Outcome: approved (majority)
- Recorded roll call: Missus Fenton — yes; Doctor Frank Giordano — no on item 10/2006, yes to everything else; Missus Aquino — no on +1, yes to everything else; Missus Figueroa — yes; Missus Fitzgerald — yes; Missus Narcisse — yes; Missus O'Neil — abstained on special-education–related items, yes otherwise; Mister Orzillo — yes; Miss Schoening (secretary) recorded the vote.

The board will implement the personnel and contract actions listed in the agenda items and noted amendments. Where members recorded no votes or abstentions, those items nevertheless remained part of the overall approved package.","The Mount Olive Township Board of Education voted to approve a package of action items covering personnel, contracts and other business, with recorded no votes and abstentions on specific items. The board amended two items before the roll call.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents press board on rising energy bills, transportation staffing and future capacity

Mount Olive schools honor retirees and student programs; 58 students earn Seal of Biliteracy

Mount Olive BOE approves consent agenda; several members record no or abstain votes