[{"_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",6034066,"mediaKeyId","5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851","parentId",5344746,"title","Robbinsville residents urge board to block proposed crematorium; board says legal options limited","audioSeconds",3355,"startMs",2688000,"endMs",6043000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851&start=2688&end=6043","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851/thumbnail_2688000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6034066/New-Jersey/Robbinsville-residents-urge-board-to-block-proposed-crematorium-board-says-legal-options-limited","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034066-34d9f05b40cf7dd00b82faf4f67501ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110400&Signature=NmSpOSYkt6RTWw7xPoz~0HJG6iMbUPQi~c4bTze~4EKijRJYaDbYX7uGnq~JCSvvRRq1ohnGx8gxP~F9dS4KKKqvbjKeXSR-koMNBshBujfsQy3LegFj57VC-NRdWqt5PKXyNEBf0aM0vljmBG7lbMKrSyzn-q-L5Cdynjwy0TSwucNAtV8HJSXu2owcLflYKa~PdDVzqW0zHNyosMyENfIvxm6R5tVEHli-g04YloohkrEkJ-foAu9LPt0qM4XREpDromWBAynL7tVc2AxwGXRvx0ycX8Pbpad~BmDgbd8aICiIUgd613S0GCYe6376vZ66~iDgBjeJNIZfCvm8Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Robbinsville Public Schools, NJ","date","2025-02-26T13:49:46Z","article","Robbinsville residents urged the Board of Education on Feb. 20 to take immediate action to stop a proposed crematorium located near district schools, saying state permitting and a looming cemetery board review could allow the project to proceed before new legislation can take effect.

The comments came during a lengthy public‑comment period in which multiple residents said they had mobilized canvassing, signs and fundraising and asked the board to be ready to pursue legal or legislative remedies. Several speakers told the board that time was short because the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) meeting was scheduled for March 4 and the New Jersey Cemetery Board could consider the project on April 10.

Why it matters: speakers said the crematorium would affect student health, property values and community confidence in the schools and asked the board to act now rather than wait for later meetings.

Residents pressed the board to be “ready to do things legally,” to call state lawmakers daily and to use the board’s influence to slow or block permitting. Amanda Gruber, who said she attended a recent Senate committee hearing, told the board “we need this board to do more” and asked members to prepare legal steps in advance so action could be swift if the DEP permit were approved.

Other residents described neighborhood canvassing and fundraising efforts and said they were running out of time and resources. Gunda Magasa said organizers had raised roughly $3,000 and that “we are tapped out and we really need you to step up.”

Board response and actions: Superintendent Patrick Pizzo said the district had written to the DEP requesting a postponement because pending state legislation could affect the review; he said that request was rejected. Pizzo told the board he planned to attend the DEP meeting in person and read the board’s position into the record, saying: “I will be there in person myself to read into the record the board’s position. Right? I’ll — I’ll stay for the whole meeting, and I’ll — I’ll do — I’ll do my part.”

Board members said they had pursued legal avenues and that a previously filed motion was rejected. Several board members urged continued legislative outreach to state senators and assembly members and recommended moving further discussion into committee work so the board could coordinate next steps without delaying other agenda business.

No formal board action to file new litigation or to authorize specific expenditures was recorded during the public meeting. Board members said they would continue phone and email outreach to lawmakers, attend the DEP meeting, and consider committee review of additional measures.

The public comment period and subsequent board discussion stretched over roughly an hour and a half of the meeting; residents repeatedly asked the board to be prepared to act if the DEP permit is approved.

What’s next: the DEP meeting on March 4 and the New Jersey Cemetery Board meeting on April 10 were cited repeatedly as the near‑term deadlines residents feared could allow the project to proceed. Board members said they would continue outreach to state officials and would present further legal or committee options if new information from DEP or the legislature emerges.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Robbinsville Public Schools 2025/2/25 - Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Robbinsville residents urged the Board of Education on Feb. 20 to take immediate action to stop a proposed crematorium located near district schools, saying state permitting and a looming cemetery board review could allow the project to proceed before new legislation can take effect.","taxTitle","Robbinsville Public Schools, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",54429,"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},6034051,"Robbinsville students demonstrate 3D‑printed CO2 cars and classroom drones during board meeting",447,572000,1019000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851&start=572&end=1019","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851/thumbnail_572000.jpg","/articles/6034051/New-Jersey/Robbinsville-students-demonstrate-3Dprinted-CO2-cars-and-classroom-drones-during-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034051-ea0b3e1271e6356e45d1aef511fa4305/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110400&Signature=eD9ytsppjGfuDk~sByxEwVRGmGw1lLbhqKHbitG44KPIdAyHbfnq3IXeeO4T~WHErxiO5d0jORFp550RlSVhaRtGezG4BMBuPnEK69GdHubW6ftMhbDYL6I3wNiPMdsAXIT~WujIau7CAvTfmOkzXEaf9G4u4-5iAZdWEtwgI4mkoD2tl~OW5aoHld6LOTS1oGZwjNxGf8qDNhUcnNFtJhvwsn1BUvIfoQYLSyIuROgvxIwNOQPvmdBFqFqlh~OZtDL0OH~i1NcWugV~lSIsiRPVk0FpqvsY853yCzcg~PEWZWJhuuV6mY1Rj8ThtuXA3RojV8lILchSyJcTfzUyYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students and teachers demonstrated classroom STEM work at the Feb. 20 Robbinsville Board of Education meeting, showing 3D‑printed CO2 race cars and small programmable drones and describing the learning objectives and safety rules.

The presentation was led by teachers Janet Dadd and Jen Clausen (identified in the meeting) and included student speakers who described design and coding processes. Evan Jurica explained that students used Tinkercad, a 3‑D modeling program, to design cars that were then 3‑D printed and launched on a track. He said the prints could take five to ten hours.

Eighth‑grader Arianne Mamadi described classroom use of Crazyflie drones: “The drones demonstrate the acronym STEM…Science because we have to learn how the drones actually fly. Technology because we have to code them. Engineering because we have to problem solve and troubleshoot. And math because we have to measure… and put them in our code.”

Students explained progress from basic block coding to more complex flight missions, including flying in shapes and navigating obstacles. Anika (student) described battery, balance and propeller entanglement challenges and stressed two classroom safety rules: keep people out of the drone zone when launching and always use protective eyewear.

The presentation included student launches and concluded with applause from the audience.","Students from Robbinsville schools presented STEM projects – 3D‑printed CO2 race cars and Crazyflie drones programmed with block coding – to the Board of Education, emphasizing hands‑on engineering, coding and classroom safety protocols.",{"_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},6034055,"Robbinsville parent urges return of neighborhood bussing; board hears safety and staffing concerns",135,3304000,3439000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851&start=3304&end=3439","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851/thumbnail_3304000.jpg","/articles/6034055/New-Jersey/Robbinsville-parent-urges-return-of-neighborhood-bussing-board-hears-safety-and-staffing-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034055-7a02c37f50ce02135dee8d28e00471a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110400&Signature=m1eLKvf90FtSnCb2j2pMNW4OyCM2d1g5Rq2tOI5vIQzDqOHsPIW~~ULr3IjqbHE~fsHRkVXoiPuAMA-wG4oIjFw8e8e2Y6gkDyolxWc6FXHshUuiA~hcDjnopZTHR-EOpJCfy8uhpeZ0LC8Oa7n0E7hQjl7K4-AKf32jbmlVXECtNw19zjiqMIZ2qntTDe5b32XwWblFsvU8oX00VL7rVLKTwUHC2tRt5gb46oGdIip3T78LW-ED~VVoWl94L0~lPMDKPsJu0Qrvpfb7d2n6tFqNfXncSybJ~kpAnjZ55mdGitkmlDRBwyahpF2IDxxLr8GsG4P7sh1Ew1fihK~BrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Robbinsville parent told the Board of Education on Feb. 20 that neighborhood busing cut after prior budget reductions has not been restored, creating unsafe drop‑off and pick‑up conditions near Pond Road Middle School.

Anthony Inverso said his family’s Saran Woods neighborhood had relied on district buses prior to 2017 and that the absence of service has forced parents to wait in long car lines and created unsafe walking and biking routes for students. He asked the board to restore bussing for neighborhoods such as Saran Woods or, at minimum, to make space on existing routes that pass those neighborhoods.

Inverso described idling, cars taking unsafe maneuvers and children biking through congested parking areas, and said the situation is “chaotic” and “dangerous.” He said his wife has raised the issue several times and that, after the district’s prior budget struggles, promised service had not returned.

Board response: administrators said the district is conducting transportation studies and has met with consultants as part of safety and routing reviews. Trustees asked that the parent’s concerns be included as part of budget discussions and the larger transportation study; no formal motion to restore routes was made during the meeting.

Other concerns: Inverso also noted the absence of a middle‑school librarian and urged the board to consider staffing in the operating budget.

What’s next: the board will consider transportation and staffing needs during upcoming budget committee meetings and the district’s transportation study.","A resident described hazardous pickup and drop‑off conditions at Pond Road Middle School and asked the board to restore busing to neighborhoods that lost service after earlier budget cuts. The board did not take an immediate vote but said transportation study and budget timing will be considered.",{"_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},6034060,"Board hears facilities and budget updates; members begin bond‑referendum planning",1024,2998000,4022000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851&start=2998&end=4022","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5344746-8d4cb57f74c25f84c0d29a7b16cce851/thumbnail_2998000.jpg","/articles/6034060/New-Jersey/Board-hears-facilities-and-budget-updates-members-begin-bondreferendum-planning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6034060-2fb9d0883109642dc70773753f2bda8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771110400&Signature=FQOf5IC6WQA268m2VPuv0Jm7hBNva7oB1mswcKr183e143WRzbQDdRAiA8EjAIyVQGJLBnwpN4hyv42OOlTUGHViqwfPhwaGJersw6jZpCUyM8BNJta0SkvkxGz4gUGUKWvZl4RZYFx2UNs1KbfEOqR5dVUZ~4c-zEadFIVe44mezL6P3mOBBQI-wZLkxZWYSgayxM3-S8mTiK7YB2za6rXxj~6LwlSO~44RjtfE4S-sJ7iWGAaRpcgKejXU3yZEmG-knuX8LW01yg3AY4RoH4lX-eBHfvEv-r0IvnECzXJjjU6tkwMaXtAz4t8AasTy5ow7GG4OaQsJbYtxK2~FAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Robbinsville Board of Education heard a broad business‑committee update on Feb. 20 covering facilities projects, energy efficiency plans, security upgrades and preliminary budget timing, and members began planning for a potential bond referendum in 2028.

Why it matters: committee members said the district faces aging infrastructure, rising energy rates and a cluster of projects (roofs, HVAC, lighting and auditorium upgrades) that may require long‑range financing. Board members discussed timing for a feasibility study and demographic analysis ahead of any bond question to voters.

Committee summary: Business Committee Chair Dr. Piero reported ongoing work including an energy audit at Pond Road, IDF door and indoor door replacements, HVAC construction work slated for summer 2025, and a planned building management system replacement with a purchase order for about $36,000. The committee described exterior LED lighting replacements estimated at $53,000 and three water‑fountain/bottle filler replacements at $21,800.

Security and technology: updates included phone‑PA integration at Pond Road, a planned auditorium AV and lighting upgrade pending vendor quotes, additional Wi‑Fi access points for the high school auditorium to resolve capacity issues, and pilots for panic‑button phone options across district phones.

Bond planning and timing: board members discussed that roughly $5 million in current debt will expire in about three years, and said the high school—about 25 years old—may require major work. Dr. Piero recommended initiating a feasibility and demographic study and an ad hoc bond committee to produce a long‑range facilities plan. He said that the study and planning typically take a year or more before any public referendum.

Budget schedule: Superintendent Patrick Pizzo and board secretary Mr. McCreese reported multiple budget meetings with principals and directors; the board moved a special budget meeting to March 5 and said state aid figures were expected after the governor’s budget address.

Votes at a glance: The board approved the monthly resolutions and routine items on the agenda by unanimous roll call vote during the meeting. (Agenda item details were included in board packet; individual motions were listed as part of the monthly resolution.)

What’s next: vendors’ quotes and the energy audit results will inform potential grant applications and the operating budget; the board will form an ad hoc bond committee to scope a possible 2028 bond package and continue budget meetings in March and April.","Business committee presented facility projects, energy audits and budget timelines; trustees discussed LED and solar upgrades, HVAC and IDF work, and began planning a 2028 bond referendum feasibility process. A monthly resolution passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Robbinsville residents urge board to block proposed crematorium; board says legal options limited

Robbinsville students demonstrate 3D‑printed CO2 cars and classroom drones during board meeting

Robbinsville parent urges return of neighborhood bussing; board hears safety and staffing concerns

Board hears facilities and budget updates; members begin bond‑referendum planning