[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6176379,"mediaKeyId","5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2","parentId",5348428,"title","Principal reports HIB and discipline data: 16 HIB reports, 7 confirmed; weapons incidents found during searches increased","audioSeconds",628,"startMs",2432000,"endMs",3060000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2&start=2432&end=3060","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2/thumbnail_2432000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6176379/New-Jersey/Principal-reports-HIB-and-discipline-data-16-HIB-reports-7-confirmed-weapons-incidents-found-during-searches-increased","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176379-6a4bbc9370becf443ee8d7ebb035817e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440022&Signature=PoETkh6SyeBWKEii4Cy-FxmpF00QLWz8bDXZRPXXBRRQakEw53VcOtDctNii~57a76e6-FCpCfbvC2sv9~dkNKQpUl7ltk0TYRO75VXvD1SeGPjf8LS8wCDlVO8ttjatB7XC-OPXWpoflVPobmim6P2MQyxR8I12TGssVAPtUJSFEEMViBT-fHJlKXNXuDhVH~6rzr5EweTSS6NVVtLfevLVJS1Pq4GomrYNgN~rlsPeRbk2Np7oRvAoJYwGdaZ~LmYgJ2D4hhenlaWgoUcFexeUz7G7Nf7XJ-k5vDX78ZYOgrFJ0F0RZ~K73BigndVJsrtCQ~m77UVmhJBhHe0qEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hunterdon Central Regional High School District, NJ","date","2025-05-20T17:44:39Z","article","Principal Ed Brandt reported the district’s Student Safety Data System (SSDS) and harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) data for the first half of the school year, describing the types of incidents, investigation process and prevention efforts.

Brandt said 16 HIB reports were filed during the reporting period; principals’ preliminary determinations were used three times when an incident did not meet the statutory HIB definition. Thirteen incidents were investigated and seven were confirmed as HIB. He explained that some confirmed incidents list multiple distinguishing characteristics or multiple targets, so the count of distinguishing characteristics can exceed the total number of confirmed events.

On other discipline data, Brandt said there were four instances of suspension for fighting (noted as a decrease from the prior year) and five weapon-related incidents; he said all five weapons were discovered through searches rather than publicly brandished. Brandt noted 12 instances of suspensions tied to cell-phone violations, typically for repeated refusal to comply or for sharing illicit images that perpetuated incidents on social media.

Brandt described in‑school suspension (ISS), introduced districtwide two years ago, as a tool to reduce out-of‑school suspensions while continuing academic instruction; teachers provide work to students assigned to ISS and staff coordinate with classroom teachers. He also described the climate and safety team (anti-bullying coordinator, specialists, teacher, parent and counselor) that reviews investigation procedures, identifies patterns and scores internal indicators; Brandt said the team’s self-assessment reached full points on all indicators after adding a nonstaff parent member.

Brandt identified prevention and supports including the tenth-grade health curriculum, teen mental health units taught by Student Assistance Counselors (SACs), athletics and clubs that promote belonging, and a district safety team recommending measures such as a security coordinator role. He said the administration will continue targeted prevention, training and communication efforts.

Board members asked how they could support prevention programs and noted that guidance for parental and community support of clubs and counseling resources would be helpful.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board Of Education Meeting 5/19/25","oneSentenceSummary","Principal Ed Brandt reported the district’s SSDS and HIB findings for the first six months of the school year: 16 HIB reports filed, 13 investigated and seven confirmed, with weapons incidents detected through searches and targeted prevention ongoing.","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},6176390,"Principal reports bump in survey participation and improved student belonging at Hunterdon Central",1096,1181000,2277000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2&start=1181&end=2277","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2/thumbnail_1181000.jpg","/articles/6176390/New-Jersey/Principal-reports-bump-in-survey-participation-and-improved-student-belonging-at-Hunterdon-Central","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176390-bee16f9793e94d6fcff5fe52e0bd15d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440022&Signature=WR6qEapQhDeJlpCt~6mIaxeyUkEz1Toe6wLfxt2Ke0RGi9~hJFrwfAcLXi8q2JOI8Fdy9tPQF4~7BjmeVaetTRZY9XzqLSZUomAtrsp3dgiLOUpoG9~eQfHZrVBelFMt~XUIOQdSWqCU1laHdyzFLYjgoiijorNwnnNFraLQLHjbd-w2omlNvhRjXK9d9OpwvR9h0IIeLyuAIe1QtU~HlUW9m2UH-ncgSnzdJVBYBOLUOvKY4qiBIRhvfheJHaQacvV5SntNGNEl-67ts4l7NYyq7o8noIEcGAB74Lk0KALnSq1U9xvLPC0OYnoks5MJwnLrOFDUFwJoZXocULpk~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hunterdon Central Regional High School’s principal, Ed Brandt, reported to the board that the district’s climate and culture survey saw substantially higher participation this year and showed improvements on many measures of student experience.

Brandt said the district collected responses from 1,285 students, up from 673 the prior year, 202 staff members (up from 138) and 224 families (up from 134). He told the board 32 of 40 Likert-scale prompts improved compared with the prior year and flagged several gains including students reporting that teachers “encourage you to do your best” (87.7% favorable) and that classroom assignments help learning (84.8% favorable). The measure of overall belonging rose to 81.7% from about 72% four years earlier.

Student representatives Bronwyn and Aaron described monthly “student lunches,” small-group meetings created to give students a more comfortable setting to share feedback. Aaron and Bronwyn said discussions produced concrete proposals the administration plans to pilot, including a mentorship pairing that would match ninth graders with upperclassmen, improved sign-ups for clubs at the eighth-grade open house to ease freshmen transitions, and repeat outreach to increase student awareness of counseling resources.

Brandt said open-ended survey responses were analyzed and condensed, in part using district experimentation with AI summarization, and that results informed working groups composed of parents, staff and administration. He said the school improvement panel compiled a priority matrix that separates immediate actions, summer work and longer-term projects.

Examples of planned or piloted responses include: creating a counseling “cheat sheet” so families know counselor roles and acronyms; offering more timely targeted surveys after major initiatives to get faster feedback; piloting mentorship pairings; and streamlining club sign-ups for incoming freshmen. Brandt said the administration will use the compiled recommendations over the summer to develop next steps.

Board members thanked the students and principal for the work and encouraged continued outreach to increase family response rates. The administration said it will publish survey results and next steps as part of ongoing district communications.","The Hunterdon Central principal told the board that the district’s climate and culture survey drew higher participation this year and showed improvements on many measures, including students’ sense of belonging and perceptions that teachers encourage them to do their best.",{"_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},6176395,"Hunterdon Central board advances large-scale policy manual update amid public concern over removed language",3795,3407000,7202000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2&start=3407&end=7202","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2/thumbnail_3407000.jpg","/articles/6176395/New-Jersey/Hunterdon-Central-board-advances-large-scale-policy-manual-update-amid-public-concern-over-removed-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176395-cd3fe1a83818a940186d35e38d4e4936/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440022&Signature=lBV83puajvDqEjHIV7bnUd0OiXJ3N6eUNfJsDrdeZdg82B49XSjA2T4k8iVaqRrdevUUB2YBLQ-fv8lVmuHaIbVD9qe~oX38YYlJnom45wRnGfM1ECM5CHigG78B4tSW8ljHolkeYx6kbxI8Iti~PjUh0O-mZopfsacRVTJOIym2b2PdGqos9s~IxemZonOCH-G5oOfllKGN0DepKmlHUZ4FgBruP~MXiBruW5L5-d3ITr6WCGlavObSyFgPGDA1kWAM-CuOZ~DIDvIfIgcL6jsM4TRAhqB3XPJ-4sNpG32ldMAnm6VpmYd6HKyDMNbdBnNWqdQbBbLVHxhD2MbfrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hunterdon Central Regional High School District board members voted on a set of policy manual updates after a months-long committee review, a process that drew multiple public commenters who said the proposed changes remove explicit commitments to equity and public education.

The policy committee recommended replacing several locally authored policies with updated text from the district's policy vendor, Strauss Esmay, and abolishing a small number of older policies not maintained by the vendor. The board carried the committee motion after discussion and public comment.

The policy committee chair, Rebecca Peterson, told the board the manual review prioritized the vendor’s mandated and recommended policies and put older, nonvendor items up for discussion. Committee members said many of the locally authored policies are out of date and that the vendor maintains the most current legal and regulatory language. The committee recommended abolishing seven policies and amending three to match vendor language.

Residents pressed the board during the public comment period. Ted Hoff asked why the policy titled “controversial issues” removed a preamble saying “nothing in this policy shall be construed to contradict the board's strong belief that racism, prejudice, and bias are unacceptable.” Christina, a Raritan Township resident, said the draft also deletes language from the district philosophy that affirmed “free public education for all children” and other value statements. Ron Levy, a retired Rutgers chemistry professor, urged the board to retain the domestic partnership policy, arguing that removing it could have symbolic and legal implications. Reverend Vernon Williams and others raised concerns about revised language on religion in schools and potential ambiguity about prayer and neutrality.

Rebecca Peterson and the committee explained that the vendor’s text is updated to reflect state and federal law, and that many of the older language blocks have unclear origin and are not vendor-supplied. Peterson said the committee planned to use the district’s upcoming strategic-planning process as the appropriate venue for recreating or restating local values and philosophies in a public, community-driven way. The board attorney, identified in remarks as Kyle (board attorney), told the public that repealing one narrow domestic-partnership policy would not eliminate the district’s obligation to follow state and federal employment law and other existing nondiscrimination policies.

Board members expressed differing views in the meeting. Some said the committee process and vendor updates were an effort to make the manual manageable and legally current; others said removing value statements risked signaling less support for public education and protections for marginalized groups. The board motion to accept the committee’s recommendations carried after roll call.

The board also agreed that the policy manual audit and committee readouts would be summarized in a district newsletter to increase transparency and that the district would undertake strategic planning in the coming year, which board members said would be the appropriate forum to reframe local mission or philosophy language.

The board’s vote advanced the committee's recommended changes; final adoption of specific policy text will follow the district’s usual two-reading vote process where required. The board said it will continue collecting public input through committee meetings and the strategic-planning process.","The Hunterdon Central Regional High School Board moved forward with committee-led revisions to its policy manual, adopting vendor-supplied language for several policies and recommending abolishing older items. The changes prompted extended public comment about removal of statements on racism, philosophy, religion and domestic partnership policy.",{"_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},6176384,"Superintendent recommends not renewing shared-transportation agreement with FRSD after missed deadlines",105,436000,541000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2&start=436&end=541","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2/thumbnail_436000.jpg","/articles/6176384/New-Jersey/Superintendent-recommends-not-renewing-shared-transportation-agreement-with-FRSD-after-missed-deadlines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176384-3e8542a5d7561c0714074f5c4ed169f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440022&Signature=ZcLsWnnXtssfchgmZV-nwBFWYWkOmqpkF2886u3D7DexgIIbYcNdMwm1kydyl1QEEyH0tY19ue4A6ST0tLZUHG5agMHAMsmSGIjWqtExR2MnCCMZDF5uzbAAtxFlRSqRVgKNBClgCkJp619tG79uw1OhQE47scZtbWz6hUqUPG08WKVDnOKFxZAboGz12VH1KiN-3FxiRYZ5-gLlQyheC63qSbB~m2Uv8YzPin0E-3zSDFwEAGwz-RrG8EngMUy7jaE9al57ity9DR~yVNinjHngS4wV6xID529mcJRMxko545o4pFWv8-LD04j-UADORFem-oDBAdbuzgNcQikiLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hunterdon Central Regional High School District Superintendent Jessica Candelosi Haid told the board she will not proceed with a proposed shared-transportation agreement with the Flemington-Raritan School District after FRSD missed two deadlines to finalize the deal.

Candelosi Haid said the districts had drafted a shared-services agreement and she met with FRSD superintendent Dr. McGahn to clarify components and accept requested revisions. The district provided two deadlines to finalize the agreement; Candelosi Haid said FRSD did not meet those deadlines and Hunterdon Central cannot extend the timetable given transportation planning needs for the extended school year in July and the regular year in September.

To ensure transportation routes and schedules are ready, the superintendent recommended not moving forward with the agreement at this time. She said Hunterdon Central will work to dissolve the joint transportation agreement and committee and divide shared assets. The district has already sent FRSD a proposal for dividing assets and expects a response by the end of the week.

Candelosi Haid also responded to remarks in FRSD budget presentations that had referenced rising transportation costs, saying FRSD’s costs have been affected by increasing enrollment, redistricting and the addition of preschool. She noted that FRSD receives an annual reconciliation reimbursement for unspent funds at the close of the fiscal year and said that amount has in some years been close to or over $1,000,000.

The board took no separate formal vote on this item during the meeting; the superintendent presented her recommendation as part of her earlier report and the board discussed it as part of routine organizational items.","The superintendent told the board the Flemington-Raritan School District missed two deadlines to finalize a proposed shared-transportation agreement; Hunterdon Central will not move forward and will dissolve the joint transportation committee and propose an equitable division of assets.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6176374,"Hunterdon Central School Foundation reorganizes, reports $158,000 in funds for scholarships and teacher grants",356,767000,1123000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2&start=767&end=1123","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5348428-c12a3da2e51591634388bcb6e1f186c2/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6176374/New-Jersey/Hunterdon-Central-School-Foundation-reorganizes-reports-158000-in-funds-for-scholarships-and-teacher-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6176374-711b88b41f32749dfcfaad0ff1470c5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440022&Signature=NXrNa~tOuwy3BAWViXHIURJwTwXwqP~wWbYrK1Rf1nGzLzwYhGZhUeVtfYJO7sTR9IwMBrGTKCkzljtSalQLiCryUr2G0KplCEGUr5pdXmlK2wCSTZbKtqKj~oQsEyiqr8gYyl7Jp7HSMKzIR3EBOgzGqNu1o91rOWyJsjg1UsemSyAvsAfBakVdp15W-1BuGUrTulI~TIlAlNiPwesDXLwTocPqW3cxgqEs~D-KhvoknUxcv-2yaQbin6RaWSEDLIWsQLgFKMP85-R6C8t~ScBFQcVJ7P58cTktEk2pn5rHokLVtudzCOq0FkW89PgZOWkswbl0YRLZa4WM04Q64w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hunterdon Central School Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) that supports student scholarships and teacher classroom grants, reported to the board that it has reorganized leadership and is ready to resume grantmaking after a COVID-related lull.

Jim Finn, foundation president and a senior vice president at Brown and Brown, said the foundation holds approximately $104,000 in dedicated Upton bequest funds that must be used for scholarships and roughly $54,000 in general foundation funds intended to restart teacher classroom grants — a combined total of about $158,000. Finn said the foundation continues to award annual scholarships (historically 10 scholarships of $1,000 each) and expects to reintroduce classroom grants; he noted the foundation awarded about $57,000 for unbudgeted programs and $55,000 in scholarships since February 2012, though teacher grants have been dormant since 2019.

Finn described the foundation’s leadership team: Kim Blanda (vice president), Frank Barlow (interim chair, departing after long service), Laura Rosen (candidate treasurer) and an as-yet-to-be-approved secretary, plus advisory ex-officio members including the principal, superintendent and business administrator. He emphasized that voting members are not district employees to avoid conflicts of interest when grant applicants include staff members.

Finn encouraged board members and the community to engage with and support the foundation’s resumed activities and said the foundation will present more updates and opportunities for collaboration going forward.","Jim Finn, president of the independent Hunterdon Central School Foundation, told the board the reconstituted foundation has $104,000 in an alumni (Upton) fund earmarked for scholarships and $54,000 in general foundation funds intended for teacher classroom grants, and that the foundation plans to resume grantmaking.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Principal reports HIB and discipline data: 16 HIB reports, 7 confirmed; weapons incidents found during searches increased

Principal reports bump in survey participation and improved student belonging at Hunterdon Central

Hunterdon Central board advances large-scale policy manual update amid public concern over removed language

Superintendent recommends not renewing shared-transportation agreement with FRSD after missed deadlines

Hunterdon Central School Foundation reorganizes, reports $158,000 in funds for scholarships and teacher grants