[{"_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",6029612,"mediaKeyId","5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4","parentId",5568199,"title","Votes at a glance: Board accepts two retirements, two donations and modifies HIB outcome","audioSeconds",368,"startMs",2727600,"endMs",3096250,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4&start=2727&end=3096","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4/thumbnail_2727600.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6029612/New-Jersey/Votes-at-a-glance-Board-accepts-two-retirements-two-donations-and-modifies-HIB-outcome","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029612-7c4973215498d93aeca2508ffa44f108/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182389&Signature=e0LoxNtUE~GhQ4MzdgfLhjm-0SgMDvRS26kMEAmhHtPoo-C-0QdoqG1m1fjZGH5n3yYuMnWidv~gQkOam4pxsI4qLMjP7M87qAIWiboBz-ZVuXqPWiDSmwe0eP1I3C4ZelO~EDSpBhs~d8AtIJrDR-icwysjRJq8bomVSEti4~sDSghZWHj7bhpe8wdELhb9jn-r0Rfc94ZFWF0d3fy6ZU9JQYaEFMXCuJ4X1vklIweWeyJYOdJOsdxCYGfVs6g5y2S4uNgN9Xxubv-PV0hmCFMjnVMk-jCgNJduMhoXVYjmbFwL7LXYRGjSoXYGZIDs3mjEPZbNmb~etvWLPJA8YA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Holmdel Township School District, NJ","date","2025-02-26T00:00:00Z","article","At its March meeting the Holmdel Township Board of Education recorded several formal actions: it accepted two staff retirements, accepted a small corporate donation and a set of nonmonetary supplies, and upheld a harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) determination while modifying the disciplinary consequence.

Acceptance of retirements

The board accepted the retirement of Elizabeth Malefsky from Holmdel High School, effective July 1, 2025. The board read a resolution acknowledging her service since Sept. 1, 1999 and extended best wishes for retirement. A roll-call vote was taken; board members present voted to approve the resolution.

The board also accepted the retirement of Barbara Daley, effective May 1, 2025. The resolution acknowledged her service since Sept. 1, 2015; the board approved the retirement by roll call.

Donations

The board accepted a monetary donation of $375 from AT&T designated for Holmdel High School. The board also accepted a nonmonetary donation from the Indian Hill Parent Liaison Group (PLG): science supplies to the science department (cost not to exceed $400) and privacy curtains for the nurse's office (cost not to exceed $500). Both donations were approved by roll call.

HIB appeal resolved with modification

On a separate vote under new business the board considered an appeal in HIB incident HHS 24-25-04. Vice President Lopresti moved a resolution to uphold the board's HIB determination but to modify the disciplinary consequence and remediation. The board resolved to replace the disciplinary consequences with school counseling and ordered that references to discipline be stricken from the student's record. The motion passed by roll call.

Why this matters: the votes formalize personnel transitions, accept community support for school programs and reflect the board's authority to adjudicate disciplinary appeals and to modify remediation consistent with evidence and legal constraints.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Holmdel Township School District BOE Meeting 2-26-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Holmdel Board of Education approved two retirements, accepted monetary and nonmonetary donations and voted to uphold an HIB finding while striking disciplinary language and requiring school counseling.","taxTitle","Holmdel Township School District, School Districts, New Jersey","taxId",53570,"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},6029618,"Holmdel honors student video contest winner and recognizes police cadets and school resource officers",1016,87980,1104620,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4&start=87&end=1104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4/thumbnail_87980.jpg","/articles/6029618/New-Jersey/Holmdel-honors-student-video-contest-winner-and-recognizes-police-cadets-and-school-resource-officers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029618-11c887a469ee68161d9ffd4097a80afe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182389&Signature=DxTNn6AB9bU6GBbfN4t8fp5XfLhkLCE--Mvf9q-nDeW4qbfE7CXmnop2LVwRAF7i~mBnBL0D4kMhNdnHLf4vcJoz9GoTt5XrrFwgbgofLrazn03L6Ci84d-XLsYPwceorNgssfrQqeiCHw-XsheGusx1z6tFYs-vljzCCFMzwlti1O0VaHKFDqqACcV3VcGsldgz0WVU3PMbT6bjIaZRfv7dwAPdixVC63cFzmw759R0~4MAo7OZs48t-zd36uktZ59si-toqMg3HXUuwZuUuKgPLlGrsrg5ios4VHTSBm6KqmalULr-0ClGtFfnt~dsGSCdsqLGNuIZa0DlyhINkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Holmdel Township School District recognized eighth grader Keoni Behete for winning first place in the Litter Free New Jersey video contest and publicly acknowledged the district's partnership with the Holmdel Police Department, including class 3 officers, the school resource officer and the student police cadet program.

\"When we see a student doing that, it's really gratifying for us, and we're super proud of you,\" Superintendent Dr. Cascone said as the board presented a certificate and a district pin to Behete.

The board also honored police cadets and presented special recognition to school resource officer Mike Nolan and patrolman Quaglia, both of whom district leaders said have close, constructive relationships with students. Dr. Cascone described the district's partnership with the police as \"exceptional,\" and noted that a security consultant had recommended the collaboration during a recent security review.

Board members publicly thanked the Holmdel Township Committee and singled out committee member Preveduto for assisting with funding Class 3 special law enforcement officers for the district. A district official said the township has provided support for the program for about two years.

Several cadets and officers were invited to the front of the meeting and board members and administrators praised them for volunteering and building relationships with students. One cadet, Lucian, said he joined because his brother participated and because he wanted to get to know officers \"on more of a personal level.\" The district also acknowledged the LEADS program that Officer Nolan teaches to fifth graders.

Why this matters: the recognitions illustrate the district's emphasis on student civic engagement and its formal relationship with local public-safety partners. Board members framed the partnership as contributing to everyday school safety and relationship-building between students and law enforcement.

","The board recognized Holmdel student Keoni Behete for winning first place in a state video contest and acknowledged the partnership with the Holmdel Police Department, honoring class 3 officers, the school resource officer and student cadets.",{"_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},6029623,"Auditors give Holmdel clean opinion; board presents 15-year data as transportation costs and reserves draw attention",2584,1190450,3774630,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4&start=1190&end=3774","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5568199-ccd4671122b96824ab131c9d27bf3ba4/thumbnail_1190450.jpg","/articles/6029623/New-Jersey/Auditors-give-Holmdel-clean-opinion-board-presents-15-year-data-as-transportation-costs-and-reserves-draw-attention","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6029623-65169cc2fef8e410767a3651a307539d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771182389&Signature=kCrcKXzEWhyuJKVhJvWG0el7rue-fSalQr2EZ94XK7ib8n91G4WuhwWC4evLIp4y1KKG5TixLw2t0fgPHoqKkDVcwlE62RZ6M53ioJVee-O31mlMYU46~QDMqz~mFKA6kJmrFEAWVwLcTPvGpVEqPvoyi4RbYR~1RAToIEJX0c16cF3uv-inEXWyESgi5H4JqQbsjs418egmzLG5JJlGyozLuYdo-~lpTsFKWoMokEEiqVTBlUYEPI8Vej1HmKciPNMPzeJ8Oyi6iaVZjew2pL~46StbYF75GSJAQ0tf8jXhKLVwKBnzG1ciM~qDZa0-uRxDkbNkglOHqS3nD5UazA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An external audit team gave the Holmdel Township School District an unmodified, or \"clean,\" opinion on its 2023–24 financial statements and single-audit review of major grant programs, and district leaders used a newly compiled 15-year data set to show why the board expects a budget shortfall in the coming year.

The auditors, Chris Bodecker, audit manager, and Brian Waldron, partner on the engagement, told the board they issued an unmodified opinion on the financial statements and an unmodified opinion on the single-audit work covering the district's selected state and federal programs. \"We have an unmodified opinion,\" Bodecker said during his presentation.

The audit presentation also included a recapitulation of fund balance that the auditors said drives budget planning: a total fund balance of about $4,300,000, with approximately $1,600,000 in the capital reserve, $300,000 in maintenance reserve, $143,000 in an unemployment reserve, assigned amounts of $850,000 used in the 2024–25 budget, encumbrances near $906,000 and an unassigned fund balance of about $564,000. Bodecker noted there were no audit findings requiring corrective action.

District leaders said the reserves have been drawn down in recent years. \"The maintenance reserve used to be a heck of a lot bigger,\" a board member said during the meeting, noting the board and administration had used reserve balances in previous budgets.

Superintendent Dr. Cascone and Vice President Kim Lopresti walked the board and community through a 15-year compilation of staffing, salary, proficiency and other indicators intended to provide context for the coming budget process. Dr. Cascone said staffing rose sharply during pandemic years and has declined since, with recent reductions accomplished \"largely through attrition.\" He emphasized the district's goal of minimizing job losses when possible.

The presentation included academic and staffing context: Holmdel's reported student-to-teacher ratio of about 10:1 compared with a county median of 9.6:1, and the superintendent noted the district outperformed its county cohort on state assessments by roughly 24 percentage points in math proficiency and 17 percentage points in English/language arts on recent statewide measures.

Board members and administrators also highlighted transportation as a principal budget driver. During public comment and later Q&A, residents and staff said district transportation expense has risen to roughly $5 million in recent years. In response to questions about why costs jumped, district staff explained how the market for school bus service has changed: annual vendor bidding or renewal cycles, a tighter pool of local contractors, new training/certification expectations for drivers and a national driver shortage all put upward pressure on contract prices.

A district staff member who handled transportation procurement explained that district contracts may be renewed annually at a state-allowed percentage (CPI) or put out to bid; renewing at the CPI can sometimes be less costly than a new competitive bid. The board also discussed how changes in start times several years ago reduced transportation costs by an estimated $700,000.

Board members stressed that while the district is forecast to open the next budget cycle with a deficit driven by constrained local levy growth and rising benefit and transportation costs, the board and administration are using the 15-year data set and other analyses to identify options and to explain the district's position to the community. Dr. Cascone told the board he expected follow-up materials and community communications as the budget process continues, and that state aid numbers—an important variable—were imminent.

Why this matters: the audit confirms the district's reported financial position, but leaders said the combination of drawn-down reserves, rising transportation expenses and limited local revenue flexibility will force difficult budget choices for 2026–27 unless state aid or other revenue changes materialize.

The board said it will continue sharing the 15-year data publicly and pursue collaborative conversations with township officials about potential supports.

","External auditors reported an unmodified opinion on the district's 2023–24 financial statements and single-audit programs, while district leaders presented 15 years of historical data showing shrinking reserves and rising transportation costs that will shape an upcoming budget gap.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Board accepts two retirements, two donations and modifies HIB outcome

Holmdel honors student video contest winner and recognizes police cadets and school resource officers

Auditors give Holmdel clean opinion; board presents 15-year data as transportation costs and reserves draw attention