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Seidner listed highlights that included hosting the Governor’s Educator of the Year breakfast at West Milford High School, the school’s War and Remembrance Day, inductions into honor societies, club events, a student-run pickleball tournament that raised $766 for a custodian’s family, a DWI reenactment in partnership with community emergency services, and a scholarship night in which “over $100,000 was awarded” by 41 local organizations, businesses and families.

Seidner also reported on senior events — prom, a senior send-off breakfast, and commencement logistics — and a slate of spring athletics results, noting team records and individual qualifiers at group championships. The board read and approved a resolution honoring Seidner’s service as student representative and presented her with a plaque and a group photograph.

Superintendent Dr. Kitchen praised Seidner’s contribution, noting the board and district were proud of her academic leadership and public-service role. At the meeting Dr. Kitchen recounted the surprise announcement of Seidner as valedictorian at the district’s Distinguished Scholars night and encouraged a future career in education.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","West Milford Township Public Schools Board of Education Meeting 6/17/25","oneSentenceSummary","Student representative and valedictorian Megan Seidner delivered a comprehensive recap of high-school events, ceremonies, community partnerships and athletics; the board adopted a resolution thanking her for her service.","taxTitle","West Milford Township Public School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",72621,"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},6142131,"West Milford schools announce new elementary principals, honor marching band and retirees",434,109000,543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566410-8476c5e6c3c5e055088342055a6df9e5&start=109&end=543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566410-8476c5e6c3c5e055088342055a6df9e5/thumbnail_109000.jpg","/articles/6142131/New-Jersey/West-Milford-schools-announce-new-elementary-principals-honor-marching-band-and-retirees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142131-1b58c403c6f72ae9a0874b137337f4b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181394&Signature=Z34gtTxt0WSEzCpV42PywtVT1HSFk8cJsBH1vDIq~R5ZHHPjUeRYDkrRvvTK4MRYgRleGpnEya1lLwvVZFipXLGBOSdBydbH25mQ~EA3GHkki6CW~8ZcRxMwfa13377NwNSQSQCx3UvSysY~JMGPBjIzNiZoT3MWfbBlwP9Rd4n4bPynANuEdqyFCOBAICxmG0XsRUMQFBU6BoalSIvQRrmo8h2UtjgnE3wW3CTWWs~wXxnde2ppSMJLvNj7pGptr3~EOhz06bijHZVZvcdSXdT3PWdddBQW6z0~DfiKgrl7W~voanwHZi5mS9TsJnWNAn2RgJNTPcVTmNyE3OwA5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Superintendent Dr. Kitchen on June 17 introduced two newly appointed elementary principals and read a legislative resolution honoring the West Milford Highlander Marching Band. The board also recognized multiple retirees for long service to the district.

Dr. Kitchen described the principal-hiring process as a multi-stage search with stakeholder surveys, screening interviews, panel interviews with parents, staff and administrators, and final-round scenario-based interviews. The district said it received about 45 applicants, screened roughly 35, invited 15 for panel interviews and narrowed the field to six finalists for final interviews.

The superintendent introduced Jay Loy as the new principal of Upper Greenwood Lake Elementary School. Loy addressed the board and said, “I am really excited…Thank you for placing your trust in me.” The other elementary hire, Leah Senesi, was unable to attend; Dr. Swartz read a statement from her accepting the Upshaw Elementary School principalship and noting she was attending her daughter’s high-school award ceremony.

At the start of the meeting Dr. Kitchen read a resolution from the State and General Assembly of New Jersey congratulating the West Milford Highlander Marching Band on winning the Group 4 New Jersey State Championship on Oct. 26, 2024. The resolution praises the band’s leadership and lists awards the band won in categories such as best overall visuals, effect and color guard.

The board also publicly honored a long list of retirees across departments — including technology, transportation, athletics, counseling, maintenance and classroom aides — and presented plaques and photos to staff members with service ranging from single-digit years up to 38 years.

The superintendent said the district prioritized a rigorous and inclusive hiring process and asked the board and community to welcome the new principals. No formal board vote on the hires was recorded in the public minutes during the meeting; the superintendent presented the appointments as district personnel announcements.

","Superintendent Dr. Kitchen announced two new elementary principals, the board read a congratulatory resolution from the New Jersey Legislature for the West Milford Highlander Marching Band, and the district publicly recognized a large group of retirees at its June 17 meeting.",{"_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},6142137,"Board questions remain over IXL use and high-school media staffing after retirements",58,3678000,3736000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566410-8476c5e6c3c5e055088342055a6df9e5&start=3678&end=3736","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566410-8476c5e6c3c5e055088342055a6df9e5/thumbnail_3678000.jpg","/articles/6142137/New-Jersey/Board-questions-remain-over-IXL-use-and-high-school-media-staffing-after-retirements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142137-ad4e1d972cea4d41a2dbd7fb58a2f3a4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181394&Signature=KaUKoOFgxUQxg-z78pMv30xNtbfkPU0V0NHL4blrHNK95UP3uue0nVfTF8YgGGXThCVMEZaAthQjigC2OPh0543Rcexk4HduqEdByIR5vbU8jWJRybc3cZR5jcrc53lZGg1Jv0m~IGxDk68IcjAfNkgUsuldn6tfJWqMEYGFzcpXN1DjJMf~1LRCTk0nw6~cMrZ8cHjbTnJiOqbITLpYBsFKH9gHK-nJsW1gjAs-nHjf~hs1D6pp4x~IFqLvuic4MPWAXBj7hgzHqZDtFbnsbjaf2LNeV7WMJy4hNGnDzt6TFBGmClUE9zEepgh3oGrCdeovX~cQsQoMT~adMU8dzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Board members told West Milford administrators June 17 they remain concerned about who will manage research databases and library services at the high school after recent retirements and changes to secretarial support.

Board member Missus Dwyer asked specifically: “Who's gonna do the ordering? And who's gonna be responsible for the purchase order since there's no secretary in there?” She also pressed on the district’s continued use of the instructional tool IXL and how results are scored and recorded in grade books.

Administrators said they have discussed coverage plans with the high school administration and that the principal has a plan to address database access and circulation in the short term. “We sat down with him the other day, and he's got a plan for how that's all gonna get worked out,” an administrator said, adding the district will try to limit the impact of the staffing changes and hopes to restore positions when budget conditions allow.

The board also revisited IXL, the district’s adaptive-practice platform. Administrators said the district had previously “phased out” IXL in K–5 and that current use is targeted to specific needs (for example, math-foundation classes and standards practice in middle and high school). Administrators acknowledged past grading confusion and said they now treat IXL mostly as a completion/classwork assignment rather than an absolute mastery grade.

Missus Dwyer asked whether a media specialist position at the high school could be restored during next year’s budget process; administrators said the possibility will be discussed during budget planning and that committee updates are expected in July.

The board approved the personnel block of agenda items (14.2–14.55); the meeting record shows some recommended abstentions were entered on specific personnel items. Board members and administrators agreed to follow up with a detailed plan for library/database coverage and to report back to committees before the next school year.

","Board members raised concerns about managing online research databases and the high school media program after retirements; administrators said the high school administration has a plan and the district will revisit staffing during budget discussions.",{"_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},6142142,"West Milford board OKs expansion of dual-enrollment credits with Passaic County Community College",150,2831000,2981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5566410-8476c5e6c3c5e055088342055a6df9e5&start=2831&end=2981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5566410-8476c5e6c3c5e055088342055a6df9e5/thumbnail_2831000.jpg","/articles/6142142/New-Jersey/West-Milford-board-OKs-expansion-of-dual-enrollment-credits-with-Passaic-County-Community-College","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6142142-52ecac61ae75f4edb3b19b3cb29e637a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771181394&Signature=LX4QVV1BiF~Y968kYBQgkPUPJaLSI205PxXvlAXp3NZMyoQp75klDthSevXMk~R9G~iosiibwHUilRTGepCqZRJOlLH9b6iO19GCczcAiEjq2jGQ~3CuPL3wP2yAR~KB1z5qC3Jw~wUzXuFCF7Q8rSIi6BKZItMZI6iMAXyXksoYO1PJGpEGJYZmbXKk3vJfuvwNmw77fD6iHWtxITZRzSkKB-C9bDZdTc-Op7CRQxJElSCSn1GFgx2mR7NgAAlzK8xab8R1q1I7JrLhwVk88KsJV59-p6ys0MRGG~gLaIAJTLFMNrnr9kVqXtGvAWRK7bPc8MPceMu62W0hLXVYvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","WEST MILFORD, N.J. — The West Milford Board of Education voted June 17 to approve education agenda items that include new articulation agreements with Passaic County Community College to expand dual-enrollment opportunities in the district’s career pathways.

District administrators said the agreements will let high school students in the computer-science pathway receive college credits from Passaic County Community College for three core classes, totaling about 12 credits for completing the pathway. Superintendent Dr. Kitchen and administrator Mr. Novak described the agreements as part of broader “Highlander Pathways” that aim to pair industry credentials with college credit.

“This is part of our computer science pathway,” Novak said during committee discussion, “students who complete that pathway will not only get…the industry recognized credential…they're also gonna walk away with 12 credits that are in association with Passaic County Community College.” Novak also said the district is pursuing dual-enrollment approvals for additional pathway courses and is working toward having most pathway core classes carry college credit by the end of the summer.

Administrators said the credits are typically transferable within New Jersey public institutions and that families who want to use credits at out-of-state schools should contact prospective colleges with the course syllabus for a transfer determination. Novak gave an estimated student cost of about $68 per credit for the dual-enrollment sections, describing that as “about a third” of the normal per-credit tuition a student would otherwise pay at the community college.

Board member Sotovich moved the education block of items (12.2–12.18); the motion carried on a roll call vote. Board member Dwyer recorded a “no” vote on item 12.9 (a separate instructional-resource item) but voted “yes” on the other education items.

The district said the dual-enrollment work is intended to support college affordability and career readiness and noted existing ties with Passaic County institutions such as programs that could let students graduate with an associate degree. Administrators said they will report enrollment and senior-survey data in future committee meetings to indicate how many students use the credits and where those students matriculate.

The board approved the articulated agreements as part of the adopted education agenda; no additional public hearing or external approvals were recorded at the meeting.

","The West Milford Board approved education items that include articulation agreements with Passaic County Community College to expand dual-enrollment credits in career pathways, allowing students to earn college credits while in high school.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Student representative Megan Seidner honored as valedictorian; gives year-end recap of events and awards

West Milford schools announce new elementary principals, honor marching band and retirees

Board questions remain over IXL use and high-school media staffing after retirements

West Milford board OKs expansion of dual-enrollment credits with Passaic County Community College