[{"_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",6744323,"mediaKeyId","5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7","parentId",5348430,"title","Board committee proposes sweeping policy manual cuts; public raises concerns about domestic-partnership policy and removal of board-comments slot","audioSeconds",163,"startMs",4027000,"endMs",4190000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7&start=4027&end=4190","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7/thumbnail_4027000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6744323/New-Jersey/Board-committee-proposes-sweeping-policy-manual-cuts-public-raises-concerns-about-domestic-partnership-policy-and-removal-of-board-comments-slot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6744323-c70e6e22a5c93876f46be1d3017dde91/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660511&Signature=LTSPqdocBp0~nr38i9BKbRR~8g3~-f5dyJ~W4b-2reJoVRGUJbp620GZzW2Mbrb5s6nccj4AgIJXwNk575Z-K3C25Gf8acD1sd1ugqcloyZlyfGy153~hEJ4GY5a9dsw2PfYaBa~5q-QEjuM3cRZFXmR1PksouoIBa98jim4z1TP~5zPvBMQS3c1tlXYrq5Cs8Lm3ro5RsPLTwmxi-V4Zcg-qPLNrhPolM2TVFSrjl0pv1WGJTc-oi-~X5k75athNOfUBzTRxms8HewxNb8CzlxY17gFi30Y4ZiVuVK4VGb9tsRo7uRq8DURZm3lCBMB4VZBpxqMv2N3FihimP7IHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hunterdon Central Regional High School District, NJ","date","2025-07-10T07:22:13.413Z","article","The policy committee presented a multi-section review of the district's policy manual and recommended abolishing a set of out-of-date administrative policies and adopting two updated policies, prompting extended public comment and board discussion about transparency and staff protections.

Policy committee chair Rebecca Peterson said the committee's goal is to reduce volume and remove obsolete or non-mandated policies so the manual is easier for administration, staff and the public to implement. \"When we review a policy ... we are putting a review date on that,\" Peterson said, explaining the committee has reviewed hundreds of policies and marked review dates even when no substantive text changes were made.

The committee recommended adopting an updated academic-integrity policy that includes guidance on artificial intelligence and abolishing about nine policies in the 1000 (administration) section that the committee described as \"out of date\" and not mandated by state law. The committee said it could not identify an authoritative vendor origin for policy 1555 (domestic partnerships) and cited changes in state law and case law (including Garden State Equality and the effects of Obergefell) that rendered a separate domestic-partnership policy unnecessary.

Members of the public asked the board to pause or reconsider abolishing policy 1555 and to explain the removal of a monthly \"board comments\" slot from the agenda. Several speakers said elimination of a board-comments item reduces transparency and opportunities for elected board members to publicly deliberate and explain their positions to constituents. The new board attorney, Kyle Trent, said there is no legal requirement to include a board-comments item and that agenda design is a discretionary governance choice.

On the first and second readings the board moved the committee recommendations through the approval process; roll-call votes reflected a mix of yes votes and some no votes and abstentions for specific abolishment items. The committee and some board members agreed to revisit language and communications to make the status of reviewed policies clearer on the website.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Ed Meeting 4/28/25","oneSentenceSummary","The district's policy committee recommended abolishing multiple out-of-date administrative policies and adopting updates, prompting public requests that the board reconsider removing a domestic-partnership policy and a monthly \"board comments\" agenda item.","taxTitle","Hunterdon Central Regional High School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",49729,"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},6744328,"Hunterdon Central board adopts 2025–26 budget, cites enrollment decline and rising costs",3680,519000,4199000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7&start=519&end=4199","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7/thumbnail_519000.jpg","/articles/6744328/New-Jersey/Hunterdon-Central-board-adopts-202526-budget-cites-enrollment-decline-and-rising-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6744328-59db66bdfff4915826a007e80cd3f684/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660511&Signature=c7NMbInVdWknUyQ~CEKYwdNGfytxX5Ji8oD78dPF280SydjwZ3wx-wO~JAB8GPPbR1KcF5JryrzOIL~1N~UV7Ye0pNjAQXxGGm2jy3A1TA4CTINP9rJO20JWQriRGD3OSZOmrWyK3rbXG9ztAaqh4AB-VnEkP-Oh5KD6sojz-Lmll1Xkxwn4vsWoFZfPzPi41-wZVzxyf6PK6yLZPljeyrsQ2LTgXADh2zn7xeZsdHJ50rV6YRlNb-TxgYnN5cfBF5IXnlDGK6zam8Xj92a8MiTI16iGmx7pmhxsJDh6zVhIHV9yhiJtvKNT87j0mliNU5AI9Y-GDB4DXxvmB~Ui-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Board of Education voted to adopt the district's final 2025'026 budget following a public hearing, board members said.

Business administrator Heather Spitzer told the board that while state aid increased about 6% year over year, that represented roughly $206,000 and equates to only 0.27% of the total budget. She said the district faces a 26% decline in enrollment over the last 10 years, and that enrollment declines are compounded because students who attend county vocational academies no longer count toward the district's enrollment for state aid calculations. \"We have had a decrease of about 590 students since that program went into place,\" Spitzer said during the presentation.

The budget maintains funding for priorities the board previously approved, including work-based learning and an expanded dual-enrollment program; Superintendent Jessica Candelosi Haid noted dual-enrollment offerings have grown from about 15 courses to \"50 or more.\" Administrators also said they are continuing programs originally funded by federal ESSER relief, expanding magnet-program options and further integrating an AI and wellness curriculum into district offerings.

Spitzer outlined other significant fiscal pressures: Chapter 44 changes to employee health-benefit contributions that took effect in 2020, higher utility and insurance costs (including cyber insurance), a 22% year-over-year increase for Class III officers, and projected growth in out-of-district tuition costs. She said the district has used capital and maintenance reserves strategically to smooth revenue timing and that an administrative reorganization is expected to yield approximately $180,000 in annual savings.

On capital projects, Spitzer said the district budgeted for roof replacements, HVAC work and repaving projects and has applied for state ROD grants that would reimburse up to 40% of eligible project costs. She cautioned that budgeted project figures are estimates pending bids and board approval for specific contracts.

The board conducted a roll-call vote and the motion to adopt the 2025'026 budget carried with recorded \"yes\" votes from the board members present.","The Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Board of Education voted to adopt the district's 2025'026 budget after a public hearing, preserving academic priorities while addressing declining enrollment and rising operational costs.",{"_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},6744315,"Board affirms personnel and discipline actions after executive session, including termination and student suspension",193,12807000,13000000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7&start=12807&end=13000","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7/thumbnail_12807000.jpg","/articles/6744315/New-Jersey/Board-affirms-personnel-and-discipline-actions-after-executive-session-including-termination-and-student-suspension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6744315-adcc0c8e3322d25d1b3fcdae1e609bc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660511&Signature=HSAfZz0a96smQ6R-lAORJ-ixjpdKSJKJJcsHxJTnCc5p-~EH5mfyyMWeWmQ-I-Mc7d7xBR~mjKPVqXOOLJZiXFzmj3TB~lnSprOsQpZ2k~BSBeykGi1REigaE-w9h-YHsU4DPVq5cxHT7~44hOc3NVYL2rUteL-ecbQ88bKMA8SKXMSyVQH5XVzNJx~EDjqQEIWouz1CnlYXUyaFugt0jwrpnp9~Tbh5oCxwbevj2plep9mTOmLPMUpK0Kh~caL1U2EcY~ihLAkb~R9rVcjc3fIEez9kRgXwVNSlOiEehVWJj5XJVbPMpiAHzn9UhIY3Dcb4mjhQw8xgf7FOGsYDPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Board of Education voted on multiple confidential items after an executive session and returned to public session to record the actions.

The board approved a superintendent-recommended termination for an employee whose personnel number is noted on the public agenda. The motion to approve the termination was moved and seconded in open session and carried by roll call.

The board also voted to approve a long-term suspension for a student through April 15, 2025, citing the student-discipline ad hoc committee's recommendation and the superintendent's recommendation. The board recorded votes by roll call and the motion carried.

Finally, the board moved to affirm the administration's disposition in a HIB (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying) case reviewed by the district's HIB committee during closed session March 24, 2025. The roll-call vote on the HIB affirmation carried, with one board member abstaining on HIB number 27 as recorded in the roll call.","After a roughly 45-minute executive session, the board approved a personnel termination, a long-term student suspension through April 15, 2025, and affirmed the administration's HIB disposition for a case reviewed March 24, 2025 (one abstention recorded on one HIB item). Votes were taken by roll call after the board returned to public session.",{"_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},6744319,"Students and administration finalize new trip-request form and rolling timeline for co-curricular funding",254,2436000,2690000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7&start=2436&end=2690","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348430-9fa1d103db8d7c8ac4420a3cca92f6d7/thumbnail_2436000.jpg","/articles/6744319/New-Jersey/Students-and-administration-finalize-new-trip-request-form-and-rolling-timeline-for-co-curricular-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6744319-5b1a6bc8aef60bc234e9abc9d603e739/orig.mp4?Expires=1770660511&Signature=HQa7mN7a3iKlo1xOEjkBkThLnj-m~YBkuCsyXlppPVAHPAb0aYN7K3ws8lUGaFQ5jWNfPZEUBTqYw-Ph7FAZ5XvH-Eq8oAW4H0nLXwQBDIkeYQnCzBRbjuF8VHU6q9-SRJeT-AQy7zHVYIsrda3SAApTus6a5hlqXqahWm7VaJIRhPANyImgOtDHdlghVkgkN-qbUmP-8~Ld66CYF0X-gK~q~Gl1ixx2H5R~t2j1K~aKV5z4T~ukWeZy4-q-RYAjoKjk9cCAw01lrLcYufsxpxUHe9G~MrE8MWPZQ6mESpAPyiNKF7C7iWKOAJgF-wVGl-LqS76yDZbD2zZE2JMa3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Student leaders and administration described a new procedure intended to streamline trip planning and co-curricular funding requests.

Senior Subhash Durba presented a finalized form that activity advisors will submit in advance to notify administration of proposed trips and anticipated transportation needs. Durba said the form \"allows our administration to better anticipate needs and allocate funds for transportation accordingly\" and was finalized by administration in recent weeks.

Durba said the group negotiated a proposed rolling application timeline (dates still to be determined) to create a structured window for requests and give advisors advance notice. He said discussions continue about funding sources and distribution; administrators and students indicated funding is expected to come from corporate sponsorships and grants and would be distributed from a central funding pool to approved advisor requests to promote equitable access.

Administrators thanked the student presenters for their collaboration and said the plan is intended to reduce unplanned spending pressure on the district while preserving access to co-curricular experiences.","Students reported a new process for advisors to request transportation and funding for co-curricular trips. The form and a planned rolling application window aim to reduce last-minute requests, improve planning and rely on corporate sponsorships and grants for a funding pool distributed to advisors.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board committee proposes sweeping policy manual cuts; public raises concerns about domestic-partnership policy and removal of board-comments slot

Hunterdon Central board adopts 2025–26 budget, cites enrollment decline and rising costs

Board affirms personnel and discipline actions after executive session, including termination and student suspension

Students and administration finalize new trip-request form and rolling timeline for co-curricular funding